Duke Men’s Basketball Welcomes Evan Bradds as New Assistant Coach
Duke University’s men’s basketball program has announced the hiring of Evan Bradds as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This strategic move comes after the departure of former assistant coach Jai Lucas, who accepted a position with the Miami Hurricanes.
Evan Bradds: A Rising Star in Basketball Coaching
Evan Bradds brings a wealth of experience to the Blue Devils’ coaching staff. A native of Jamestown, Ohio, Bradds had an illustrious collegiate career at Belmont University, where he was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. He still holds the school’s NCAA Division I era scoring record with 1,921 points and ranks sixth in NCAA Division I history in career field goal percentage at .667.
After completing his playing career, Bradds transitioned into coaching, beginning with the Boston Celtics organization. He started as an assistant coach with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ NBA G League affiliate, before being promoted to the Celtics’ player enhancement staff under head coaches Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka. In 2022, Bradds joined the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach, focusing on player development and leading the team’s Summer League efforts in 2023.
Jon Scheyer’s Vision for the Program
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer expressed enthusiasm about Bradds’ appointment, highlighting his “unbelievable basketball mind” and “NBA player development experience.” Scheyer emphasized Bradds’ ability to build meaningful relationships with players, a quality central to Duke’s team culture. He believes Bradds’ experience and forward-thinking approach will help maintain Duke’s prominence in college basketball.
A Legacy of Excellence
Bradds’ hiring continues Duke’s tradition of bringing in coaches with strong developmental backgrounds. His experience with NBA organizations positions him to provide valuable insights to players aspiring to reach the professional level. As Duke prepares for the upcoming season, the addition of Bradds to the coaching staff is expected to enhance the program’s development-focused approach and contribute to its sustained success.
With Bradds on board, Duke’s men’s basketball team is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, blending seasoned coaching with a commitment to player development.
