In a move that echoes last year's coaching carousel, Duke finds itself once again bidding farewell to a talented assistant coach just before the NCAA Tournament tips off. This time, it's 31-year-old Evan Bradds, a first-year assistant, who is making headlines as he heads back to familiar territory. Bradds has been named the next head coach at Belmont, a place where he once shone as a player.
Belmont is finalizing a deal with Bradds, who was a standout during his college days, earning the OVC Player of the Year honors in both 2016 and 2017. His on-court prowess was undeniable, averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds per game in his senior year. He helped guide Belmont to the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore, though the team couldn't quite replicate that success in his final two seasons, despite dominating the regular-season conference play.
After his collegiate career, Bradds swiftly transitioned into coaching. He cut his teeth in the NBA, serving as an assistant with the Boston Celtics and later the Utah Jazz.
His journey began with the Celtics' G-League affiliate in Maine, before moving up to the NBA team from 2018 to 2022. When Will Hardy took the helm at the Jazz, Bradds followed, continuing to build his coaching resume.
Last May, Jon Scheyer brought Bradds into the Duke fold, where he spent a season contributing to the Blue Devils' storied program. Now, as he takes on the head coaching role at Belmont, Bradds embraces a new challenge at the mid-major level.
In a classy move, Bradds will remain with Duke throughout their NCAA Tournament run, ensuring the team has its full coaching staff as they face off against 16-seeded Siena on Friday at 2:50 pm ET. This opportunity marks an exciting chapter for Bradds, blending his past success with a promising future in coaching.