Seattle basketball legend and three-time NBA All-Star Brandon Roy is returning as head coach of the boys’ basketball team at Garfield High School. The renewed appointment will take effect for the 2026–2027 season, less than a year after he was fired. Roy confirmed the news himself on Instagram, reposting an email from Garfield High School director Tarrance Hart addressed to students and staff. An official announcement will be made at a press conference on Thursday.
Roy’s firing in September 2025 came suddenly—just three weeks after the school year began. For nearly six months, neither the school nor the Seattle school district department commented on the reasons. It wasn’t until March 2026 that The Seattle Times reported that the cause was an allegation involving Roy in a player-tampering scheme: he allegedly worked with an NBA agent who offered a student money, a car, and an apartment in exchange for transferring to Garfield. Roy categorically denies all allegations, but he was dismissed two days after issuing a written denial.
At 41, Roy is one of Seattle’s most decorated basketball players. He led Garfield’s program to three state championship titles, and he was named Pac-10 Player of the Year and NBA Rookie of the Year. At Thursday’s press conference, Roy is expected to discuss plans for his return and to comment on last year’s events.
Based on: Brandon Roy to return as Garfield boys basketball coach less than a year after firing