Avery, along with Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, became one of the first players under Mike Krzyzewski to leave Duke before graduating.

Avery was selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1999 NBA draft after his sophomore year.

Avery was not signed by any NBA teams after his 3-year contract with the Timberwolves expired in 2002, so he moved his career overseas.

After retirement, he returned to Evans, Georgia where he started a basketball camp.

[2] In the Fall of 2019, Avery returned to Duke University to complete his degree in African American studies.