Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Countdown to Craziness on October 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.
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7 p.m.
Men's Basketball
vs Countdown to Craziness
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Men's Basketball
Avery, Will
Will Avery
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- lahoward@duke.edu
- Phone:
- (919) 613-7500
Former Duke men's basketball standout and NBA Lottery pick Will Avery was named an assistant coach in July 2023.
Avery, who starred at Duke from 1997 to 1999, spent the previous four years assisting with various aspects of the program while completing his undergraduate degree in African American studies. He left Duke after his sophomore year as the 14th overall pick by Minnesota in the 1999 NBA Draft.
The second-team All-ACC pick and third-team Parade All-American in 1999, Avery led the Blue Devils to the national championship game after a 37-2 record that included both the ACC regular season and tournament championships. In two seasons at Duke, where he teamed with now associate head coach Chris Carrawell, Avery played in 74 games and averaged 11.9 points, 3.8 assists and shot .463 from the field.
This marks the first full-time college coaching position for the Augusta, Ga.-native, who played 142 career NBA games for the Timberwolves and later played professionally overseas. Following his retirement from pro basketball in 2012, Avery returned to his hometown and established the Will Avery Basketball Academy where he trained and mentored youth basketball players.
Avery was one of a then-school record four first-round draft picks in 1999, joining No. 1 overall pick Elton Brand, No. 11 pick Trajan Langdon and No. 13 pick Corey Maggette. The record was later tied during the 2022 draft. Brand, Maggette and Avery were the first Mike Krzyzewski-coached players to leave Duke early for the NBA.
Avery is the father of two daughters, Yasmine and Autumn.
(updated 7/7/23)
Avery, who starred at Duke from 1997 to 1999, spent the previous four years assisting with various aspects of the program while completing his undergraduate degree in African American studies. He left Duke after his sophomore year as the 14th overall pick by Minnesota in the 1999 NBA Draft.
The second-team All-ACC pick and third-team Parade All-American in 1999, Avery led the Blue Devils to the national championship game after a 37-2 record that included both the ACC regular season and tournament championships. In two seasons at Duke, where he teamed with now associate head coach Chris Carrawell, Avery played in 74 games and averaged 11.9 points, 3.8 assists and shot .463 from the field.
This marks the first full-time college coaching position for the Augusta, Ga.-native, who played 142 career NBA games for the Timberwolves and later played professionally overseas. Following his retirement from pro basketball in 2012, Avery returned to his hometown and established the Will Avery Basketball Academy where he trained and mentored youth basketball players.
Avery was one of a then-school record four first-round draft picks in 1999, joining No. 1 overall pick Elton Brand, No. 11 pick Trajan Langdon and No. 13 pick Corey Maggette. The record was later tied during the 2022 draft. Brand, Maggette and Avery were the first Mike Krzyzewski-coached players to leave Duke early for the NBA.
Avery is the father of two daughters, Yasmine and Autumn.
(updated 7/7/23)
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