There are moments in life when you’re forced to speak,not out of choice, but out of necessity. This is one of those moments for me.
I never imagined I’d be sitting down to address a false, damaging accusation, one that strikes at the very core of who I am as a person and as a leader. Recently, I’ve been labeled something I am not: a racist. Not because of anything I did or said in truth, but because of a deliberate attempt to twist words, inflame emotions, and fracture the trust between me and the community that has supported me for most of my life.
The idea that I could harbor racial hatred or bias is completely false — and incredibly hurtful.
I’ve devoted my adult life to basketball, a game that transcends boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds. At Duke! first as a player under Coach K, then as an assistant, and now as head coach I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and learning from young men of every race and ethnicity. I’ve always believed that basketball teaches unity. It teaches respect, discipline, and brotherhood. That’s the atmosphere I’ve tried to cultivate, every single day I walk into the gym.
So when I saw my name being attached to these terrible accusations online, I was shocked. A selectively edited video, a misrepresented quote, and a few angry voices online became a snowball, one that gathered speed and attempted to roll over everything I’ve worked so hard to build.
I understand the times we live in. Racism is real. It needs to be confronted, called out, and eliminated — in sports and in society. But weaponizing that charge as a tactic to destroy someone’s reputation is not justice. It’s slander.
I stayed quiet at first, hoping the facts would speak for themselves. But as the noise grew louder, and as people began to question my values, I knew I had to say something. Because silence in the face of a lie can be mistaken for guilt. And I am not guilty.
Anyone who has ever worked with me — my players, assistant coaches, trainers, and staff knows how seriously I take the responsibility of leadership. I don’t just coach these young men. I invest in them as human beings. Their success on the court, in the classroom, and in life is what drives me. Their diverse perspectives enrich our program, and their trust is something I will never take for granted.
To my players past and present thank you for your support and for knowing my heart. To the Duke community and the fan base that has stood by me through highs and lows, I am deeply grateful. You know who I am. You’ve seen the way I lead.
To those who spread this false narrative I don’t know your motive. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was anger at a decision or outcome you didn’t agree with. But your actions didn’t just try to hurt me. They tried to divide a team, a school, and a fan base.
You won’t succeed.
I’ll continue to lead with integrity. I’ll continue to build a program based on trust, unity, and respect. And I’ll continue to stand firmly against racism not just in defense of myself, but in defense of the values I hold dear.