In a move that's becoming a bit of a tradition, Duke is once again seeing one of its assistant coaches step into a head coaching role just before the NCAA Tournament kicks off. Last year, it was Jai Lucas making headlines with his new gig at Miami. This time around, it's Evan Bradds, a fresh face on Duke's bench, who’s heading back to his roots at Belmont.
Evan Bradds, who’s just 31, is set to take the reins at Belmont, his alma mater, and the buzz is palpable. Bradds isn't just any former player; he was a standout at Belmont, clinching the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year title twice in 2016 and 2017. During his senior year, he was a force on the court, averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds per game.
Bradds' journey to this point is impressive. After wrapping up a stellar college career, he jumped straight into coaching, starting in the NBA.
His coaching chops were honed with the Boston Celtics and their G-League affiliate, before moving on to the Utah Jazz under head coach Will Hardy. Bradds' time with the Jazz lasted until last year when Duke’s Jon Scheyer brought him on board.
Now, after just one season with Duke, Bradds is ready to lead his own program. It's a golden opportunity, and what's even better is that he’ll still be part of Duke's coaching staff through their NCAA Tournament run. Duke is set to face off against 16-seeded Siena on Friday at 3:15 pm ET, and Scheyer will have his full team of coaches by his side.
For Bradds, this new chapter at Belmont is not just a professional milestone; it’s a homecoming. The Bruins are getting a head coach who knows the program inside and out, and fans should be excited to see how he translates his experience into success on the court.