Duke University’s men’s basketball team has made a significant addition to its coaching staff with the hiring of Evan Bradds as an assistant coach. Bradds joins the Blue Devils after serving as an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, where he was instrumental in player development and led the team’s Summer League efforts in 2023.
Bradds, 31, is a native of Jamestown, Ohio, and had a standout collegiate career at Belmont University. He was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and holds the school’s NCAA Division I era scoring record with 1,921 points. Bradds also ranks sixth in NCAA Division I history in career field goal percentage at .667.
Before joining the Utah Jazz in 2022, Bradds spent four years with the Boston Celtics organization. He began as an assistant coach and video coordinator for the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s NBA G League affiliate, before being promoted to the Celtics’ player enhancement staff under head coaches Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Bradds to the team, praising his “unbelievable basketball mind” and “NBA player development experience.” Scheyer believes Bradds’ unique ability to build meaningful relationships with players will be a valuable asset to the team.
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. 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.
The addition of Bradds comes at a crucial time, as Duke faces a daunting task ahead after losing all five starters to the NBA Draft. However, with the commitment of Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, who averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game last season, the Blue Devils are expected to make a strong showing in the upcoming season. Coward’s talent and Bradds’ coaching expertise could be a winning combination for Duke.
