Breaking News: Blue Devils Add New Assistant Coach in KJ Conklin

The overall recruiting and roster-building effort from Jon Scheyer has been nothing short of superb; however, there has been the ongoing matter of replacing assistant coach Evan Bradds. Bradds was the man behind Duke’s player development program under Scheyer. The new man to assume those responsibilities is KJ Conklin, who has established himself over a multitude of levels of basketball as one of the game’s better player development coaches behind the scenes, ranging from high school all the way up to Division I basketball and into NBA- affiliated training spaces.

Conklin’s journey through the basketball world started in the state of Illinois where he attended Rock Falls High School before almost immediately transitioning to player development and coaching roles. During his four years as a student manager at Illinois State University, he gained invaluable experience working with head coach Dan Muller’s team by observing practice, managing team logistics, scouting opponents, and helping the student-athletes with individual support. He finished his collegiate career and graduated in 2017 with a degree in sport management after which he landed a spot on the varsity coaching staff at Sterling High School in Sterling, Illinois. The season proved to be a successful one for Sterling, as they went on to a conference championship, enjoyed a 15-game win streak, and reached the Illinois 3A Sweet Sixteen.

Next up on Conklin’s coaching road was two years at Louisiana Tech University, serving as a graduate assistant for two seasons (2018-20). The team compiled a 42-23 record over the course of his stay, earning its place among the top defensive teams in the Conference USA while he simultaneously developed an even greater understanding of analytics, scouting and Division I skill development. He simultaneously participated in various elite-level player development settings as he interned with Pure Sweat Basketball, working directly with elite NBA skills trainer Drew Hanlen in sessions with such players as Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal, and RJ Barrett; all of whom helped him gain recognition as a player development coach centered around live-read decision making and player specific growth.

After two years in the college ranks at Louisiana Tech, Conklin spent a season on the staff of the Olney Central College (NJCAA) as an assistant coach in the 2020-21 season, aiding the school in picking up wins against top NJCAA competition. The very next year he accepted a role as the offensive coordinator for Independence Community College (NJCAA), where his offensive schemes made them one of the more potent offenses according to Massey Ratings.

Conklin’s trajectory would skyrocket after his arrival to The University of Texas as a graduate assistant in 2022. In his first year in Austin, the Longhorns went 29-9 on the season, winning the Big 12 Tournament championship, and advancing all the way to the Elite Eight. He was then promoted to the Director of Player Development in 2023 and was intricately involved in offseason workouts, skill development sessions, team building and in the development and mentoring of players pursuing professional basketball opportunities. Outside of his college commitments, he has founded his own player development company called KC Training that prides itself on “science and live-read based training.”