Brandon Roy Named Boys Basketball Coach at Garfield High School

Former NBA Star Returns to Seattle Hardwood

Garfield High School is preparing to introduce Brandon Roy as its new boys basketball head coach, KOMO News reports. The move brings one of Seattle's most celebrated basketball figures back to the city where his career began, this time in a coaching role at one of Washington state's most storied prep programs.

Roy, a Seattle native, starred at Garfield before going on to play college ball at the University of Washington and then earning NBA stardom with the Portland Trail Blazers. His return to the Garfield sideline closes a full circle for a player who grew up in the same hallways where he will now lead a new generation of players.

The school is expected to formally introduce Roy in an official announcement, signaling that the hiring process has concluded and the program is ready to move forward under his direction.

What Roy Brings to the Program

Roy was a three-time NBA All-Star during his professional career and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2007. His playing career was cut short by chronic knee problems, but his reputation as a skilled, basketball-IQ-driven guard never faded.

At the prep level, coaching experience and player development instincts matter as much as name recognition. Roy has remained connected to the basketball community in the Pacific Northwest since his playing days ended, and his familiarity with the culture at Garfield gives him a credible foundation to build on.

Garfield has a strong basketball tradition of its own. The school has produced multiple Division I college players and has been a competitive program in the Seattle metro area for decades. Roy himself is one of its most prominent alumni, which adds weight to the appointment beyond simple nostalgia.

A High-Profile Hire for Seattle Prep Basketball

Landing a former NBA All-Star as a high school head coach is uncommon, and the hire is likely to draw significant attention to the Garfield program, both locally and nationally. Recruiting, player visibility, and community interest could all get a lift from Roy's presence on the bench.

For student athletes at Garfield, the opportunity to be coached daily by a former professional with Roy's background is a notable development. His experience playing at the highest level of the sport gives him direct insight into what it takes to advance through the college and professional pipeline.

KOMO News first reported the planned introduction, and the story quickly drew attention across Seattle sports circles. The formal announcement from the school is expected to confirm the details surrounding Roy's appointment and lay out the vision for the program going forward.

The hire arrives at a time when several high-profile former players have chosen to transition into prep coaching, seeing it as a way to give back to local communities while staying close to the game they built careers around. Roy's decision fits that pattern, and given his deep roots in Seattle, Garfield appears to be a natural landing spot.