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Former Boston College Eagle Jared Dudley announced yesterday that he will retiring from the NBA as a player and instead be joining Jason Kidd’s staff in Dallas as the newest front-of-the-bench assistant for the Mavericks.
I been preparing this moment for a long time! From deep talks With Nash, Hill, Shaq, Bron, Booker, Beal, AD, Giannis the list goes on.. Very excited to Join the MAVS and JKidd staff! Perfect fit and opportunity… Time to get to work
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 24, 2021
After 14 NBA seasons, Jared Dudley has agreed to a deal to become an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dudley will be a front of the bench assistant under new head coach Jason Kidd.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 24, 2021
Dudley last season was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in a very limited role that saw him largely as a locker room leader rather than a big contributor on the court. He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020.
This news isn’t super surprising for those that have paid attention to Dudley’s NBA career and public aspirations. As was mentioned in our coaching preview earlier this year when we considered him a longshot candidate for BC’s open position, Dudley has expressed a desire multiple times to eventually get into coaching. This is an easy first step for him, as Mavs head coach Jason Kidd is a friend of Dudley’s and has given him a golden opportunity to kickstart Dudley’s coaching career just as his playing career was winding down.
Do you think Dudley will work at BC in a coaching capacity one day?