The Duke Blue Devils are regarded as one of the top collegiate basketball programs in the nation and have been vying for national championships on a regular basis.
Duke had one of the top teams in the country the previous season, led by freshman Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach. Duke concluded the season with a 35-4 record after the three led the team to the Final Four, where they were defeated by Houston.
Head coach Jon Scheyer is back at the whiteboard, trying to figure out how to go back to the promised land after the Blue Devils had an incredible season. With the loss of Tyrese Proctor, Sion James, and the three freshmen, he will be dealing with a completely different squad the next season.
Will Stephens, the Blue Devils’ Executive Director of Sports Performance, will also need to be replaced, and Scheyer and the organization will be searching for someone to take his position.
Stephens announced his retirement from the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday.
Will Stephens played for Duke for 27 seasons, according to the Duke Blue Devils’ official retirement statement. He guided the team to seven Final Four trips and three national crowns.
Flagg and Boston Celtics player Jayson Tatum discussed the importance of Will Stephens in the Duke Blue Devils’ most recent post on him.
“Coach Will is incredibly impactful for our program and everything that he did for us all year long,” Flagg stated. “He always brought the energy, always got us better, and always had us ready and excited to come into the gym every day.”
Tatum remarked, “Coach Will had a big impact on my career,” “He greatly improved my attitude. He was a huge help to me in changing my body. He prepared our entire squad to the best of their abilities, both physically and emotionally.
