Belmont hires Duke assistant Evan Bradds as its next head coach Belmont is finalizing a deal to hire Duke assistant coach Evan Bradds as its next head basketball coach, sources confirmed to 247Sports. Bradds, who has spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant under Jon Scheyer at Duke, will remain with the program through the remainder of the postseason. The 31-year-old, a former standout player for Belmont from 2013–17, is set to transition from assistant to head coach, marking a significant step in his coaching career. Bradds’ playing career at Belmont was marked by exceptional performance. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as both a junior and senior (2015-16 and 2016-17) and earned third-team Academic All-American honors in 2016. He holds the record for Belmont’s all-time leading scorer in the NCAA Division I era, with 1,937 points over his collegiate career. After graduating, Bradds immediately entered coaching, starting with the Maine Red Claws (Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate) in 2017-18. He then spent four seasons (2018-22) as an assistant with the Boston Celtics under Brad Stevens, followed by three seasons (2022-25) with the Utah Jazz before joining Duke under Scheyer. At Duke, Bradds played a pivotal role in recruiting top-five prospect Cameron Williams for the 2026 class. His coaching experience and ability to connect with talent have positioned him as a key figure in college basketball. Bradds is also the grandson of Gary Bradds, a former Ohio State All-American and NBA player, adding a legacy of athletic success to his own career. At just 31 years old, Bradds will become one of the youngest head coaches in college basketball, bringing a blend of playing experience and coaching acumen to Belmont.#duke #evan_bradds #belmont #cameron_williams #gary_bradds
Evan Bradds, the Duke basketball assistant coach, has been named the next head coach of the Belmont Bruins men’s basketball program. The 31-year-old will begin his head coaching career at his alma mater, where he played a standout four-year college career. Bradds, who previously served as an assistant with the Blue Devils during the 2025-26 season, brings an NBA coaching background focused on player development, making him a key figure in shaping Duke’s young talent, including key freshmen like Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Nik Khamenia, and Dame Sarr. Bradds’ coaching journey began after his college career, during which he played 129 games for Belmont, averaging 14.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He shot 66.7% from the field, 32.4% from three-point range, and 70.1% from the free-throw line. Over his four seasons at Belmont, the 6’7” forward was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, a three-time All-OVC selection, and a two-time All-OVC Tournament Team member. He also earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors in both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. Before joining Duke, Bradds spent time in the NBA, working under head coaches Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka with the Boston Celtics and later joining the Utah Jazz in 2022 as part of their player development department. His experience in professional basketball has equipped him to mentor college players, a role he has already played at Duke, where he helped the Blue Devils secure the No. 1 overall 2025 recruiting class. Bradds’ hiring comes after Duke lost associate head coach Jai Lucas to the Miami coaching staff following the 2024-25 season. Lucas, known for his elite recruiting and player development skills, was replaced by Bradds, who has since filled the void.#evan_bradds #casey_alexander #duke_basketball #belmont_bruins #miami_coaching_staff
Belmont Finalizing Hire of Duke's Evan Bradds as Head Coach Belmont is nearing a formal agreement to hire Evan Bradds, a former Duke assistant coach, as its next head basketball coach, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Wednesday. Bradds, a former standout player for the Bruins, is set to replace Casey Alexander, who was recently appointed as the head coach at Kansas State. Bradds had a successful college career at Belmont, earning two Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer in Division I. After graduating in 2017, he transitioned directly into coaching, starting as an assistant with the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate. He advanced to the Celtics’ staff in 2018 under head coach Brad Stevens and remained with the team through the tenure of Ime Udoka. In 2022, he joined the Utah Jazz’s coaching staff under Will Hardy. Duke hired Bradds in May 2023, highlighting his expertise in player development and basketball strategy. At the time of his appointment, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised Bradds’ “unbelievable basketball mind” and “unique ability to build meaningful relationships with players,” emphasizing his role in maintaining Duke’s dominance in college basketball. Bradds is expected to remain with Duke for the remainder of the NCAA tournament, where the Blue Devils, seeded No. 1, will face Siena in their opening game on Thursday. His hiring marks a significant move for Belmont, combining his playing legacy with his growing coaching reputation. The transition underscores the program’s focus on blending experienced leadership with a strong developmental foundation.#duke #kansas_state #evan_bradds #belmont #casey_alexander
