Duke University’s men’s basketball program is set for a strategic overhaul as head coach Jon Scheyer unveiled two key appointments.
A New Era of Strategy and Innovation
KJ Conklin, a veteran coach with a résumé that spans the NBA G League, Division I and junior‑college circuits, will join the staff as an assistant coach.
Alexander Powell, who brings eight years of NBA experience in analytics and basketball operations from the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets, will serve as the program’s executive director of basketball.
The newly created executive director role is designed to weave advanced analytics and technology throughout the team’s preparation, giving Scheyer a dedicated partner to translate data into on‑court adjustments.
Conklin’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in social education from Illinois State University, while Powell holds a Master of Data Science from Northwestern University and a mathematics degree from Kenyon College.
Both hires are expected to elevate Duke’s competitive edge, blending traditional coaching wisdom with cutting‑edge analytical tools as the program looks ahead to the next season.