UVU alumni Jordan Brady named to Idaho Stampede coaching staff
Kaleb Searle | Sports writer | @k_searle87
Photo courtesy of UVU Athletics
During Jordan Brady’s senior year playing basketball for Utah Valley, he was named to the first-team Division I all-independent team, averaging 11.2 points and 8.4 rebounds. Since then, Brady’s career has spanned from playing overseas to playing in the NBA Development League to various coaching positions. Now, he’s been named as an assistant coach for the Idaho Stampede, the exclusive D-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz.
Brady feels that playing for the Wolverines helped in a big way to prepare him for his post-college career.
“I had a good opportunity to play under a good coach in Coach Hunsaker,” Brady said. “The way he prepared, the knowledge he had, and the way he taught was a big benefit for me going into my professional career.”
Brady played briefly overseas with the Luxembourg Racing. He also split time between the Utah Flash, Los Angeles D-Fenders, and Idaho Stampede in the NBA D-League. His dream of playing in the NBA never came to fruition, but Brady didn’t let that bring him down.
“The most challenging part was staying ready day-to-day, being prepared, and being willing to bring it every day… just the ups and downs…Getting cut from teams, winning games, losing games, and trying to stay focused through it all,” he said.
Brady was able to do that, and the experience has aided him immensely in his coaching career so far. Still, he contributes his success to the coaches he played under through his playing days.
“I played for good coaches, some of the very best at their respective levels,” said Brady. “They have helped develop me into the coach that I’m trying to become. I’m able to draw from their strengths and knowledge.”
Since making the transition from the court to the bench, Brady has spent time on various coaching staffs in the D-League, including the Iowa Energy, Bakersfield Jam, and Los Angeles D-Fenders. This season will be his first as a coach with the Stampede, who are now the exclusive affiliate of the Utah Jazz organization.
“I’m really excited to be working with the Idaho Stampede… I’ve been involved in every level of basketball in Utah, so it’s exciting to be a part of the Jazz organization,” Brady said. “They [the Jazz] have such a strong relationship with the Stampede, trying to synergize everything, so it’s a great opportunity to learn from experienced people.”
Throughout his career, though, Brady hasn’t forgotten his roots, as he has continued to keep tabs on the Wolverines’ program.
“I stayed in touch with Coach Hunsaker after I left, and I still plan on following the team closely with Coach Pope,” he said. “I hope they can build upon the things the past generations have done and continue to build a strong tradition at UVU.”
