Will Avery Joins GAIS

I am happy to report that longtime friend Will Avery has officially joined me in coaching the GAIS Eagles basketball teams.  Will and I will soon split up the duties of coaching the many boys and girls teams.  Whatever path we choose, it is safe to say that the players in the program will be learning from one of the most accomplished players and one of the sharpest basketball minds our area has seen.

Will's background is truly remarkable.  An Augusta native, he led Westside High School to three deep runs in the state playoffs, including a state championship in 1995, before finishing his high school career as the leading scorer and captain of the famous Oak Hill Academy.  Will's next stop was at Duke University where he was coach Mike Krzyzewski's starting point guard.  He led the Blue Devils to the national championship game versus Connecticut in 1999.  After being chosen by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA's 1999 draft, Avery had a long and successful professional career in the NBA and in Europe.

Avery and the 2011-12 Eagles with ASU Alumni Team

Since retiring, Will has made an impact in his hometown, sponsoring and organizing teams, leagues,
tournaments and camps for young basketball players of all ages.  He has been a friend of the GAIS Eagles for years.  Will joined us for the 2011 "Tip Off Classic," a preseason exhibition game between the Augusta State Alumni basketball team and the "Eagles and Friends," a team consisting of former players with ties to the team (most notably Avery) and GAIS players.

The Eagles played in the Will Avery Fall League in 2012.  In addition to playing in the games, the Eagles players were regulars at the free "skill development sessions" that Will and I organized every Saturday before League play.  The Eagles have also participated in the first two Will Avery Invitationals at Augusta State University.

Will's first activity as an "official" member of the GAIS family was this morning's workout with 8 returning varsity players at Patriots Park.  Because of his experience and enthusiasm for teaching the game, Will is better than anyone I know at developing the skills of players of all ages.  In the video excerpt below, Will discusses his thought process in working with young players.  The clip is taken from an interview about the free skill sessions offered during last season's Will Avery Fall League.