With his first season as Bluffton’s men’s basketball graduate assistant complete, DeVon Price has gained valuable experience toward his dream of becoming a head coach.
DeVon Price. Photo by Trent Mast
Basketball is in Price’s blood. Growing up, he spent many hours with his dad at the rec center, watching his dad play and learning the fundamentals. He started playing at the age of five and continued all the way through his college career.
Price first attended St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, but later transferred to the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) to finish his basketball career. His athleticism and versatility allowed him to play as a point guard, shooting guard or small forward depending on his coaches’ needs.
Price’s desire to get into coaching led him to Bluffton this year. After working a camp at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, this past summer, Price said Denison’s head coach was impressed by him and reached out to Bluffton’s head coach, Guy Neal, who was looking for an assistant.
After an interview with Neal, Price was offered the position as Bluffton’s graduate assistant for men’s basketball.
Price said Neal has given him the chance to engage in many hands-on pieces of the coaching experience over the course of the year, including writing scouting reports, leading skill workouts and working with the team on lifting.
“I’ve gotten to learn so much from a different perspective now that I’m on the coaching side versus the playing side,” said Price. “I think it’s really helped the fact that Coach Neal lets me get so hands-on. Coach Neal lets me have a lot of impact in what we do.”
Price said the biggest challenge he’s faced has been managing his time. During the season, he balanced a rigorous work schedule, coaching responsibilities for JV games, two scouting reports a week, two varsity games a week and his coursework in the university’s MBA program. Setting aside personal time and getting rest has been difficult, he said.
His favorite parts of the position include interacting with the team and seeing their growth and development as basketball players.
Aaron Rich, a sophomore and key player for the men’s basketball team, spoke highly of Price. Rich said Price puts together good workouts and lifting routines and is an excellent motivator on and off the court.
“He has fallen into the GA position really well,” said Rich. “He is pretty friendly and gets along with all the guys. I don’t think we could’ve got a better person than him.”
