GONE TOO SOON: Forever Hoya Kevin Braswell Has Passed

Braswell started all 128 games he played at Georgetown from 1998-2002

It is with heavy hearts that the Georgetown Hoyas community mourns the passing of Kevin Braswell, a beloved former player and rising star in the global coaching world. Braswell, who suffered a heart attack in late January while coaching the Utsunomiya Brex in Japan, passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 46. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, particularly among those who witnessed his remarkable journey from a standout point guard at Georgetown to a successful coach abroad.

Utsunomiya Brex released the following statement on X (translated):

Utsunomiya Brex head coach Kevin Braswell passed away on February 24, 2025 at a hospital in Utsunomiya. (He was 46 years old.)

We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to us during his lifetime and to inform you of his passing.

“We would like to express our heartfelt respect and gratitude to Mr. Braswell for his dedication to the development of the club and his contribution to the growth of the team over the course of two seasons. We will miss him and express our deepest condolences for his passion and dedication.”

Since his hospitalization on January 17th, the entire team has continued to support him, hoping for a speedy recovery, but his wish has not been granted and we are filled with great loss and deep sadness.

The funeral and memorial service will be held in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family back home. We regret to inform you that we will not be accepting condolence money, flowers, gifts, or telegrams.

We would like to offer our deepest condolences.

#BREX

Kevin Braswell’s name is etched in Georgetown basketball history. He was a true floor general, starting all 128 games of his collegiate career and leaving an indelible mark on the program. Over the four seasons, He averaged 13.6 ppg and 5.4 assists.

As a freshman, he stepped into the demanding role of starting point guard for a team navigating a challenging period. John Thompson stepped down midseason and Craig Esherick took the reigns. Despite the team’s struggles—they went 15-16, 6-12 for 10th in Big East—Braswell’s talent and determination shone through.

With the arrival of freshman Mike Sweetney to the lineup in his junior year, Braswell was asked to shoot less. He continued to lead the team, showcasing his playmaking abilities and defensive contributions alongside his scoring.

Coach Craig Esherick recognized Braswell’s impact in the Sweet 16 season, stating, “If I was asked which player had helped us get back to the Sweet 16 the most, it would have been Kevin. He shares a big part of the credit for why we got to the point where we got last season.”

By the time he graduated in 2002, Braswell had cemented his place among Georgetown’s all-time greats. He ranked seventh in scoring (1,735 points), first in assists (695), and first in steals (349). He also held the record for 3-pointers made (189) until it was broken in 2007. His accolades included being named to the Big East All-Rookie Team, Second Team All-Big East, and Third Team All-Big East.

Beyond the statistics, Braswell embodied the spirit of Georgetown basketball. He was a workhorse, a leader, and a player who always gave his all on the court. His impact on the program extended beyond his playing days, as he inspired countless young Hoyas with his dedication and passion for the game.

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

After graduating from Georgetown, Braswell embarked on a professional basketball career that spanned over a decade and took him across the globe. He played in various countries, including Belgium, Poland, Italy, Turkey, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Russia, Bosnia, France, Israel, and New Zealand. He also had a brief stint with the Melbourne Tigers in Australia in 20123. This international experience exposed him to different styles of play, coaching philosophies, and basketball cultures, which would later influence his own coaching career.

Braswell’s most notable success as a player came in New Zealand. He won an Australian National Basketball League (NBL) championship with the New Zealand Breakers in 2011, earning the NBL Best Sixth Man Award. He later joined the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL), leading them to championships in 2013 and 2015. The Sharks recognized his contributions by retiring his No. 12 jersey.

Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images

In 2016, Braswell transitioned from player to coach, taking the helm of the Wellington Saints in the NZNBL. He quickly established himself as a successful coach, guiding the Saints to back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017 and earning the NZNBL Coach of the Year award in 2017. His coaching journey continued with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL (2018-2019) and the Auckland Huskies in the NZNBL (2020).

Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

In 2021, Braswell moved to Japan, joining the Akita Northern Happinets as an assistant coach. He later served as an associate coach and even stepped in as acting head coach when Kenzo Maeda took a leave of absence. This experience further honed his coaching skills and prepared him for his next challenge.

In 2023, Braswell joined the Utsunomiya Brex as an associate coach. The team had just come off a 51-9 regular season record under coach Norio Sassa, setting a high bar for success. Braswell was promoted to head coach for the 2024-25 season, and he embraced the opportunity with his characteristic determination, stating, “When I came to the Brex for the 2023-24 season, our goal was to win a championship and that will not change.”

It’s clear that Braswell’s global basketball journey significantly shaped his coaching philosophy. His exposure to different leagues, playing styles, and coaching approaches provided him with a unique perspective and a diverse toolkit from which to draw.

Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Many Georgetown fans held out hope that Braswell would one day return to the Hilltop, bringing his coaching expertise and Hoya pride back to the program. His success abroad, coupled with his deep connection to Georgetown, made him a popular choice among fans who longed to see him lead the Hoyas.

During 2020-2021, Braswell was an assistant coach with Coppin State and returned to McDonough Arena. He went back abroad after the pandemic, but some fans even saw his time in Japan as a stepping stone to a potential return to the USA.

While that homecoming never materialized, Braswell’s legacy at Georgetown remains strong. He is remembered not only for his on-court achievements but also for his leadership, his dedication, and his embodiment of the Hoya spirit.

For some Georgetown fans, a tangible reminder of Kevin Braswell’s time on the Hilltop exists in the form of a face cutout giveaway from his senior day. These cutouts, likely held by a small number of dedicated fans, serve as a unique symbol of his impact on the program.

Kevin Braswell’s passing is a tremendous loss for the basketball world. He was a talented player, a respected coach, and a true ambassador for the game. His journey from a determined freshman at Georgetown to a head coach in Japan is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and love for basketball. His experiences at Georgetown, both the triumphs and the challenges, undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping the player and coach he became. The Georgetown community will forever cherish the memories of this remarkable individual and the impact he had on the program.

Beyond his accomplishments, Braswell will be remembered for his passion for basketball and his ability to connect with people. A conversation with him was described as “an inspiring, generation-spanning, kaleidoscopic collage of basketball memories, tactics, influences and more.” This speaks volumes about his enthusiasm for the game and his genuine connection with those around him.

The Georgetown family extends its deepest condolences to Kevin Braswell’s family and friends during this difficult time. His spirit, dedication, and passion for basketball will forever be remembered on the Hilltop.