Dukes hire ex-NBA player
Former NBA player Doug West discovered an appreciation for women's basketball over the past two years as an athletic director and strength and conditioning coach at an all-girls prep school in West Virginia.
He will get an opportunity to see even more of the women's game, starting today.
West, 39, was hired by Duquesne women's basketball coach Dan Durkin as an assistant coach. West spent the past two years working at Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling, W.Va.
"I truly loved working with the girls and saw how much attention to detail they have," West said. "I think the women's game is evolving. They are more athletic and more committed. I love the college game and have been so anxious to get started at Duquesne."
West will be responsible for scouting and working with post players. Before his stint at Mount de Chantal, he was an assistant boys basketball coach at Canon-McMillan. The 6-foot-6 guard/forward averaged 10.2 points and 3.16 rebounds per game during his nine years with the Timberwolves. He ended his career with three seasons with the then Vancouver (Memphis) Grizzlies. He was a four-year starter and 2,000-point scorer at Villanova, which was 80-59 during his career with two NCAA Tournament appearances.
West won't be the only former NBA player on the Dukes' staff.
He joins Dukes assistant coach Mike Iuzzolino, a former St. Francis (Pa.) star, who played for the Dallas Mavericks. West and Iuzzolino were on one of the top teams in the state in 1985 at Altoona High School, which was upset by Brashear when West was a senior and Iuzzolino a junior. They didn't get to play against powerhouse Carlisle in the championship game. Carlisle was led by Jeff Lebo, the Auburn men's coach who played at North Carolina, and Billy Owens, the former Syracuse star.
"I remember that game," West said. "(Former Duquesne men's head coach) Darelle Porter always reminds me of it. I think we were a little overconfident."
West and Iuzzolino have stayed in touch.
"Doug will bring a lot of energy to the position," Iuzzolino said. "The kids will respect when he tells them something. With what he has done, who wouldn't respect that?"
West was an assistant coach for boys basketball at Canon-McMillan. West said footwork is especially important for post players at any level.
"I hope I can help push this program to the next level," West said. "This staff is committed to that. Basketball can be something special at Duquesne. I hope to share my passion for the game and also help them have fun, too. I hope I can give back to a sport that has done so much for me."
Durkin, whose team was 13-17 last season, said he was impressed with West's ability to teach the game.
"He is the right fit for our staff," Durkin said. "He knows basketball and brings an intensity and passion to this game. He is a great person and a Pennsylvania guy who we have faith will do great things here."
In 2002, West founded a basketball-based group called Win by 2, which provides instruction, apparel and equipment for youths in Wheeling.
