On Thursday, Duke lost one assistant coach. On Friday, it added one back.
The program announced the hiring of Will Avery as an assistant coach Friday afternoon shortly after the departure of assistant coach Amile Jefferson, who left for the Boston Celtics' staff Thursday. Avery played for the Blue Devils from 1997 to 1999 and joins head coach Jon Scheyer's staff after four years assisting the program while completing his undergraduate degree in African American studies.
"The opportunity to have Will Avery here is incredible for us," Scheyer said in a team release. "He understands our program at its highest level. As an NBA Lottery pick in 1999, he knows the goals of our current players and achieved many himself. He has been a tremendous asset for our staff over the last several years after returning to Duke to complete his undergraduate degree – and what a testament to return 20 years later and achieve that. I'm thrilled for Will and his family and excited to have him as an assistant coach."
On July 1, new NCAA rules changed to allow teams two additional on-court coaching positions, one of which Avery's appointment has satisfied. Jefferson's vacant position has yet to be filled.
In his time as a player, Avery averaged 11.9 points and 3.8 assists in 74 games and helped lead the Blue Devils to a national championship appearance in 1999 off the back of a 37-2 season, regular-season ACC title and ACC tournament championship. He was one of a then-record four first-round NBA Draft selections in 1999, alongside Elton Brand, Trajan Langdon and Corey Maggette, and played alongside current associate head coach Chris Carrawell.
After being drafted 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Avery played in 142 NBA games in addition to playing overseas, eventually moving back to the U.S. upon his retirement to start a basketball academy in his hometown of Augusta, Ga. His position with the Blue Devils is his first on a college staff.
"I'm extremely honored and excited to be a part of Coach Scheyer's staff," Avery said. "Duke, our fans, and the city of Durham has held a special place in my heart since I was a teenager. Duke is family, and I feel at home. I want to thank [former head coach Mike Krzyzewski] for giving me a role in the basketball program four years ago and I'm very grateful for coach Scheyer giving me the opportunity to begin my coaching career at Duke."
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Andrew Long is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.