In a strategic move to bolster its coaching staff, Duke men’s basketball has announced the hiring of Evan Bradds as an assistant coach. Bradds brings a wealth of experience from his time in the NBA, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz. His expertise in player development and ability to build meaningful relationships with players will be invaluable assets to the Blue Devils.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer expressed his excitement about welcoming Bradds to the team, praising his “unbelievable basketball mind” and “forward-thinking approach.” Scheyer believes Bradds’ experience and vision will help keep Duke at the forefront of college basketball. “I’m excited to welcome Evan and his wife, MacKenzie, to Durham,” Scheyer wrote. “Evan brings an unbelievable basketball mind, NBA player development experience, and a unique ability to build meaningful relationships with players – something that’s core to our culture.”
Bradds is equally thrilled about joining the Duke family, expressing his gratitude to Scheyer for the opportunity and looking forward to working alongside him to continue the program’s tradition of excellence. “I am honored to be joining the Duke Basketball program and want to express my immense gratitude to Coach Scheyer for this opportunity,” Bradds wrote. “I am looking forward to working alongside Coach Scheyer and the Duke team to help continue the long-standing tradition that is Duke Basketball.”
Bradds’ coaching career has been marked by steady progression, from his early days as an assistant coach for the Maine Red Claws to his current role with the Utah Jazz. He joined the Utah Jazz in 2022, specifically working on player development for the franchise. Before the Jazz hired him, Bradds was a player enhancement coach for the Boston Celtics from 2020-22. He served as the Celtics’ video analyst from 2018-20.
The addition of Bradds to the Duke staff comes at a crucial time, as the Blue Devils face a daunting task ahead. With the loss of all five starters to the NBA Draft, Duke will need to rely on its young talent and incoming transfers to make a strong showing in the upcoming season. Fortunately, the Blue Devils have secured a commitment from Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, who was the No. 5 shooting guard in On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.
Coward brings a wealth of skill and experience to the team, averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game last season before suffering a season-ending injury. With Bradds’ guidance, Coward and the Blue Devils are poised to make a strong showing in the upcoming season. Coward’s confidence in his teammates’ abilities is palpable, and he’s excited to be part of a team full of stars. “This is a team full of stars, and it’s a team full of guys that are killers and just want to do whatever it is that can help us win,” Coward said. “Each guy has the potential and the ability to do anything on any given night.”
As Duke embarks on a new era, the addition of Evan Bradds is a significant step forward. With his expertise and Coward’s talent, the Blue Devils are primed for success. Scheyer’s vision for the program is clear, and with Bradds by his side, they’re ready to take on the best of college basketball. The question is: can they live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Duke men’s basketball is back in business.
