Duke basketball: Will Avery named assistant coach, one vacancy left

The Duke basketball program has a new assistant coach in William Avery. 

The chatter surrounding the Duke basketball program has finally come true as William Avery has been named as the newest assistant coach of the Blue Devils.

Head coach Jon Scheyer made the announcement official on Friday afternoon in a press release and social media video.

Avery does not replace Amile Jefferson on the coaching staff, who left for an assistant coaching role with the Boston Celtics, because of NCAA rules passed on July 1 that state there can be two full time on-court coaching positions in men’s basketball.

“I’m extremely honored and excited to be a part of Coach Scheyer’s staff,” Avery said in a statement.

“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.”

Avery, a Second Team All-ACC selection during his sophomore season, was the No. 14 overall selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves and only played three seasons with the organization before he began a lengthy career overseas.

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“I want to thank Coach K 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,” he continued.

Duke basketball coaching staff gets major boost

William Avery now joins Jai Lucas and Chris Carrawell, his teammate in Durham, as coaches on Jon Scheyer’s staff while Mike Schrage remains as a special assistant to the head coach.

“The opportunity to have Will Avery here is incredible for us,” Scheyer explained.

“He understands our program at its highest level…he knows the goals of our current players and achieved many himself.”

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Avery returned to Duke in 2019 to complete his degree and graduated this spring.

“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.”

The Blue Devils remain searching for one more assistant coach to complete its staff.