South Charlotte Today

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson announced today the 2024-25 coaching staff for the Greensboro Swarm. Joining Head Coach D.J. Bakker’s staff are Nathan Peavy, David Noel III, and Alex Ruoff as assistant coaches, Brian Boyle as head video coordinator/player development assistant, and Markes Royster as director of player development.

Peavy joins the Swarm after serving the 2023-24 campaign as the head coach of the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, Puerto Rico’s top professional division. He previously spent six seasons with the Salt Lake City Stars, the Utah Jazz’s NBA G League affiliate, including three years as head coach. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Peavy played four seasons at Miami University, leading the RedHawks to the NCAA Tournament in 2007. He played professionally for 10 seasons in Germany and Puerto Rico and won three league championships during this time. Peavy’s father was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1979 NBA Draft, and his mother was a member of the Puerto Rican national swimming team. Peavy has represented Puerto Rico in international competitions.

Noel III spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Motor City Cruise, Detroit Pistons’ affiliate, and served as an assistant with Capital City Go-Go, Washington Wizards’ affiliate, for four seasons prior. He began his coaching career at Southern High School in Durham. Noel III played four seasons at UNC-Chapel Hill, helping win the 2005 national championship and earning All-ACC Second Team honors in 2006. He was selected by Milwaukee Bucks in second round (39th overall) of 2006 NBA Draft and played one year in NBA; his playing experience includes 10 years overseas.

Ruoff comes to Greensboro following two years on coaching staff at West Virginia University. He played for Mountaineers from 2006-09, helping team reach three NCAA Tournaments and finishing as school’s all-time leading 3-point shooter (261). Ruoff ranks eighth in school history in assists (410) and seventh in steals (189), earning Big East Scholar-Athlete of Year honors during his time there. Upon graduation, he embarked on a 12-year professional career before beginning his coaching career.

Boyle returns to Swarm after previously serving as an assistant with franchise in 2017-18. He spent last three seasons as an assistant with Cruise and served same capacity for Agua Caliente Clippers from 2018-20. Boyle previously worked as video coordinator with Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets; his experience includes stints as regional advance scout for Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors.

Royster joins Swarm after spending last five years running his own player development program Swish Ocean in Los Angeles. He previously spent one season as video coordinator with Indiana Pacers; one season as director of video coordinating/player development for Erie BayHawks; one season as player development intern with Dallas Mavericks; prior to joining professional ranks he worked two seasons at UCF.

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