Coach to Coach: Jon Scheyer Sits Down with Evan Bradds in a Powerful Brotherhood Exchange
On the latest episode of The Brotherhood Podcast, the energy shifted from player spotlight to coach talk, as Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer took the reins from Caleb Foster to conduct a one-on-one conversation with one of his newest coaching hires — Evan Bradds.
It wasn’t just another routine episode. This was a deeper dive into the mind of a young coach whose journey into the profession is rooted in perseverance, reflection, and an unexpected phone call that changed everything.
Bradds, a former standout at Belmont University, opened up about the pivotal moment that altered the trajectory of his basketball life.
“Probably always knew I wasn’t going to go to the NBA,” Bradds admitted candidly. “Wasn’t quite good enough, but wanted to try, wanted to see what the experience would be like.”
That dream, like many, was derailed — and abruptly. Just fifteen minutes into a pre-draft workout, Bradds tore his ACL. In an instant, a potential professional playing career was over before it had even begun.
With no set direction and the weight of an uncertain future on his shoulders, Bradds found himself back in his hometown in Ohio, rehabbing and reflecting. Then came the call. Out of nowhere — Brad Stevens.
The then-Boston Celtics coach reached out to Bradds with an opportunity in the G League. Stevens’ pitch? A coaching role in Maine.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about the G League at the time,” Bradds said. “So essentially, I packed my car up and drove all the way to Maine.”
That spontaneous trip turned into something more — a passion discovered.
Bradds describes the season in Maine as transformative. The fast pace, the daily grind, the behind-the-scenes work — it all clicked.
“I fell in love with coaching quickly,” he said. “Just the day-to-day. The games are obviously amazing. But the process — the game planning, the on-the-court work — I just fell in love with it.”
And from that moment on, the thought of playing again never crossed his mind.
Jon Scheyer, himself a young coach climbing the ranks of the college basketball elite, connected easily with Bradds’ story. Their conversation wasn’t just about past events; it was about philosophy, growth, and the kind of detailed approach that defines elite programs like Duke.
Throughout the episode, Scheyer and Bradds dissected the nuances of coaching: building relationships, creating game plans, and translating years of on-court experience into something meaningful for a new generation of players. What emerged was not just mutual respect, but a shared vision for what Duke basketball represents and how its future is being shaped behind the scenes.
What makes this episode especially engaging is how grounded it is. Bradds doesn’t present himself as some overnight success. He’s honest about the setbacks, humble about the opportunities, and intensely focused on the craft.
And that’s something Scheyer clearly values.
Duke fans and college basketball observers alike will find pieces of this conversation sticking with them — not just for what it reveals about Bradds, but for what it reveals about the direction of the Blue Devils under Scheyer’s leadership. It’s not all about talent on the floor. It’s about the people shaping the culture, building the structure, and investing in the details day after day.
With the upcoming season on the horizon, this behind-the-scenes insight into one of Duke’s newest coaching minds offers a compelling look at the machinery behind one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs.
The brotherhood isn’t just about players. It’s about coaches too — and this episode shows exactly why.
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