Brad Stevens on recruit rankings and "culture"

[MU82]

Good article in The Athletic on how Brad Stevens' time at Butler prepared him to build an NBA championship team.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6289633/2025/05/05/celtics-champions-nba-playoffs-brad-stevens-butler/?

Lots in the article sounds like Shaka's approach at Marquette, such as ...

Stevens told his assistants not to worry about recruiting rankings or any media reaction. He wanted them to look at a player's strengths, not necessarily their weaknesses. How would that player fill a Butler need? He encouraged his assistants to think outside the box and believe in their evaluations.

"If you feel like that's the person that helps your program and you see the vision for that player, go for it," Graves said. "It doesn't matter what the outside people think. And I think that's a really powerful thing. And a lot of people get caught up in caring what rankings (players) are and all that. And Brad didn't. And we talked about that a lot, finding the diamonds in the rough, but it really was more about just trusting your eyes and your evaluation.

"You know what you want to coach. You know what works in your program. So, go find it."

And this ...

Hahn thought the player was talented, but didn't fit what they wanted at Butler — players who would be desperate to win even during open gym.

"Brad basically said, 'Well, if he can't handle you, then he can't handle our culture. He can't handle the competitiveness that we want in our guys,'" Hahn recalled.

And this ...

Stevens first stepped into Ainge's former role one day after a 36-36 season that ended with a first-round playoff exit. At the time, the organization's future was filled with uncertainty. That day now feels long ago. Over the four years since then, Stevens has rearranged almost the entire supporting cast. He has constructed the Celtics according to his basketball ideals.

"He really just wants to be around good people, people of high character," said Johnson. "And that's where it starts, getting the right guys on the bus. And then, from a basketball standpoint, he tries to prioritize individual growth. And then, collectively, we all achieve something bigger than ourselves."

[The Sultan]

Does the author realize he'll be heading to Duke any minute now?

[cheebs09]

Does the author realize he'll be heading to Duke any minute now?

The next opening at Indiana will be when he finally comes home. Just a matter of time.

[WhiteTrash]

The next opening at Indiana will be when he finally comes home. Just a matter of time.

Sounds more like he's lobbying for a role on Shaka's staff. MU coach in waiting?

[jfp61]

The next opening at Indiana will be when he finally comes home. Just a matter of time.

waiting the purdue job

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Sounds more like he's lobbying for a role on Shaka's staff. MU coach in waiting?

If Wardle says no, you at least have to make the call.

[The Sultan]

If Wardle says, no you at least have to make the call.

Once you show him our NIL checkbook, how could he possibly refuse?

[cheebs09]

Once you show him our NIL checkbook, how could he possibly refuse?

How big does an NIL budget have to be to cover up that we have a dental school?

[The Sultan]

How big does an NIL budget have to be to cover up that we have a dental school?

He's from Indiana so he probably has little idea what a dental school is.

[Pakuni]

Brad Stevens ... that rare coach/executive who says culture is important and he wants high character players.

[MU82]

Brad Stevens ... that rare coach/executive who says culture is important and he wants high character players.

Exactly.