Duke's Scheyer promotes Amile Jefferson to assistant coach

Updated Apr. 12, 2022 12:59 p.m. ET

Associated Press

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

, 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,

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.

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