Amanda Knapp
Will Avery, born William Franklin Avery Jr., is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant basketball coach at Duke University. Avery played for the Duke Blue Devils from 1997 to 1999, after which he was selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1999 NBA Draft. He played 142 games for the Timberwolves across three seasons before moving his career overseas. In 2012, Avery retired from professional basketball and returned to his hometown to establish the Will Avery Basketball Academy. In 2019, he returned to Duke University to complete his degree in African American studies and began assisting with the basketball team. In July 2023, Avery was named an assistant coach for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Franklin Avery Jr. |
| Nickname | Will |
| Born | 8 August 1979 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.90 m) |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Points | 14.9 points per game |
| Assists | 5.0 assists per game |
| Wins | 32 straight games |
| Losses | Lost in the National Championship game to the University of Connecticut |
| NBA Draft | 14th overall pick by Minnesota Timberwolves in 1999 |
| NBA Games | 142 games over three seasons |
| NBA Points | 2.7 points per game |
| NBA Assists | 1.4 assists per game |
| Coaching | Assistant Coach at Duke University |
| Degree | African American Studies |
| Children | Two daughters, Yasmine and Autumn |
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What You'll Learn
Will Avery's career as a Duke Blue Devil
William Franklin Avery Jr., born on August 8, 1979, is a former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for Duke University's men's basketball team. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Avery played as a point guard for the Duke Blue Devils during his college career, from 1997 to 1999.
During his sophomore year with the Blue Devils, Avery averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists per game, helping the team achieve a remarkable 32-game winning streak. Unfortunately, they fell short in the National Championship game, losing to the University of Connecticut. Despite this setback, Avery excelled as a player, becoming a second-team All-ACC pick and a third-team Parade All-American in 1999. That same year, he led the Blue Devils to a 37-2 record, claiming both the ACC regular season and tournament championships.
Avery's stellar performance attracted the attention of the NBA, and in 1999, he was selected as the 14th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA draft. He became one of the first players under coach Mike Krzyzewski to leave Duke before graduating. Avery played a total of 142 NBA games over three seasons with the Timberwolves, averaging 2.7 points and 1.4 assists per game. However, when his contract expired in 2002, he was not signed by any other NBA teams, marking the end of his NBA career.
Undeterred, Avery took his talent overseas, continuing his professional basketball career internationally. In 2012, he retired from professional basketball and returned to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, where he established the Will Avery Basketball Academy. During this time, he trained and mentored youth basketball players, fostering their growth both on and off the court.
In 2019, Avery came back to Duke University to complete his undergraduate degree in African American studies. While pursuing his degree, he began assisting with the Duke men's basketball program, marking the start of his coaching journey. In July 2023, Avery was officially named an assistant coach for the Duke Blue Devils, returning to the team he once starred for as a player. This appointment marked Avery's first full-time college coaching position, bringing his basketball career full circle.
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Will Avery's NBA career
William Franklin Avery Jr., born on August 8, 1979, is a former NBA player and current assistant basketball coach for Duke University. Standing at 6 ft 2 in, Avery played as a point guard for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team from 1997 to 1999. During his sophomore year, he averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists per game, helping the team achieve a 37-2 record and reach the NCAA Tournament championship game in 1999.
Following his successful college career, Avery was selected as the 14th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1999 NBA Draft, becoming one of four first-round draft picks from Duke that year. He played a total of 142 games over three seasons with the Timberwolves, averaging 2.7 points and 1.4 assists per game. However, after his 3-year contract expired in 2002, Avery was not signed by any other NBA teams.
Avery then took his career overseas, playing professionally for nearly a decade. He retired from professional basketball in 2012 and returned to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, where he established the Will Avery Basketball Academy. There, he trained and mentored youth basketball players, with many of his students going on to play college basketball.
In 2019, Avery returned to Duke University to complete his undergraduate degree in African American studies. During this time, he also began working with the Duke basketball program, assisting in various roles and gaining coaching experience. In July 2023, Avery was officially named an assistant coach for the Duke Men's Basketball team, marking his first full-time college coaching position.
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Will Avery's coaching career at Duke
Will Avery, a former Duke Blue Devils and NBA player, joined Duke University as an assistant coach in July 2023. This marked his first full-time college coaching position.
Avery, an Augusta, Georgia native, returned to his alma mater to complete his undergraduate degree in African American studies in 2019. During this time, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski allowed him to work on the basketball staff in various roles. Avery expressed his gratitude for being able to observe and learn from the team.
After graduating in 2023, Avery was promoted to assistant coach on Jon Scheyer's staff. Scheyer highlighted Avery's deep understanding of the Duke program and his ability to relate to the players' goals. Avery's prior experience as a player and his mentorship of youth basketball players at the Will Avery Basketball Academy further contributed to his coaching expertise.
As an assistant coach, Avery fills one of the two full-time on-court coaching positions in men's basketball, made possible by new NCAA rules enacted on July 1, 2023. He joined Jai Lucas and Chris Carrawell, his former teammate, as assistants to Coach Scheyer, while Mike Schrage remained as a special assistant to the head coach.
Avery's return to Duke brought his basketball career full circle, as he embarked on his coaching journey at the place where he had once excelled as a player.
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Will Avery's basketball academy
After retiring from professional basketball in 2012, William Franklin Avery Jr. returned to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, and started the Will Avery Basketball Academy. Here, he trained and mentored youth basketball players, with many of his students going on to play college basketball.
Avery, who played for Duke University from 1997 to 1999, was a standout player. He was a starting point guard, averaging 14.9 points and 5.0 assists per game in his sophomore year. In two seasons at Duke, he played 74 games, averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 assists, and shooting .463 from the field. Avery was also a second-team All-ACC pick and third-team Parade All-American in 1999, and he led the Blue Devils to the national championship game, achieving a 37-2 record.
Following his time at Duke, Avery was selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1999 NBA draft. He played 142 games over three seasons with the Timberwolves, averaging 2.7 points and 1.4 assists per game. After his time with the Timberwolves, Avery played professionally overseas.
In 2019, Avery returned to Duke University to complete his degree in African American studies. During this time, he began working with the basketball program and assisting in various aspects of the team. In July 2023, Avery was named an assistant coach for the Duke University men's basketball team, marking his first full-time college coaching position.
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Will Avery's Duke education
Will Avery, a former Duke Blue Devils and NBA player, joined Duke University's coaching staff as an assistant coach in July 2023. Avery, who played for Duke from 1997 to 1999, returned to the university in 2019 to complete his undergraduate degree in African American studies. During his time as a student, Avery also assisted the basketball team and graduated in 2023.
Avery's journey with Duke began in 1997 when he attended the university on a basketball scholarship. As a 6-foot-2-inch point guard, he starred in the 1998-99 season, averaging 14.9 points and 5.0 assists per game. That year, the Blue Devils went on a 32-game winning streak before falling to the University of Connecticut in the National Championship game. Avery then left Duke after his sophomore year, joining the Minnesota Timberwolves as the 14th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.
After a three-year stint with the Timberwolves, Avery played overseas before retiring from professional basketball in 2012. Following his retirement, he returned to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, and established the Will Avery Basketball Academy, where he trained and mentored youth basketball players.
In the fall of 2019, Avery came back to Duke University to finish his degree. While pursuing his undergraduate studies, he began assisting the basketball team in various roles. He worked alongside legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had been his coach when he was a player at Duke. Avery's involvement with the team allowed him to observe, learn, and build relationships with the players and staff.
Upon completing his degree in African American studies in the spring of 2023, Avery was promoted to the role of assistant coach on Jon Scheyer's coaching staff. His appointment as a full-time assistant coach marked a significant step in his basketball career, bringing him back to where it all started. Avery expressed his honor and excitement to be a part of the Duke family once again, stating that Duke holds a special place in his heart.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Avery is an assistant basketball coach at Duke University.
Will Avery was named an assistant coach at Duke in July 2023.
Will Avery is a former Duke Blue Devils and NBA player. He played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and later played professionally overseas. He returned to Duke in 2019 to complete his degree in African American studies and began working with the basketball team.
