Duke's Jon Scheyer promotes Amile Jefferson to assistant coach
Jefferson was director of player development in Mike Krzyzewski’s final season
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New Duke coach Jon Scheyer has promoted former Blue Devils player Amile Jefferson to assistant coach.
The school announced the hiring Tuesday.
Jefferson, who turns 29 next month, was director of player development in Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski’s final season. He returned to Duke in July after a four-year professional career with stops in the NBA, the G League and overseas.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Having a front-row seat for the evolution of Amile’s career has been special," Scheyer said in a statement. "His passion, knowledge and ability to relate to our guys is second-to-none."
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Associate head coach Jon Scheyer and director of player development Amile Jefferson of the Duke Blue Devils look on as head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Blue Devils reacts during the Continental Tire Challenge against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Blue Devils defeated the Bulldogs 84-81. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jefferson's five-year playing career at Duke included 124 victories and the 2015 NCAA championship. He is the only player in program history to be a four-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic selection and is the only three-time captain in Krzyzewski's tenure.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I feel a special bond and connection to Durham, our fans and our entire Duke family," Jefferson said in a statement. "Being here means the world to me."
Jefferson’s promotion is part of a busy transition for Scheyer, designated as Krzyzewski’s successor last June when Krzyzewski announced the 2021-22 season would be his last.
Since Duke's loss to rival North Carolina in the Final Four, the Blue Devils lost rising-star assistant Nolan Smith to Louisville. They named former Elon head coach Mike Schrage as special assistant to the head coach, adding more than two decades of experience to aid Scheyer as a first-time head coach.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Scheyer also got commitments from five-star prospects in 6-foot-4 guard Tyrese Proctor and 6-8 forward Mackenzie Mgbako for the class of 2023 last week, and already has the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for next season.
Scheyer still must hire another assistant coach.