The Duke Blue Devils will head into the upcoming season facing a familiar situation: a roster filled with young, talented players. But this year, the team may not have the same mix of experience and leadership that helped it reach the Final Four last season.
In 2024–25, Duke’s success was largely driven by generational freshman Cooper Flagg, along with strong contributions from veterans like junior guard Tyrese Proctor and transfer additions Sion James and Mason Gillis. The balance between youth and experience helped Duke perform at an elite level—one of the best in the KenPom era.
This offseason, however, head coach Jon Scheyer took a different approach. Rather than seeking major reinforcements through the transfer portal, Duke focused on retaining its current roster. The strategy paid off, as the program was among the few that did not lose a scholarship player to the portal. Still, the Blue Devils didn’t add any notable veterans, which leaves the team leaning heavily on returning underclassmen and incoming freshmen.
Among the returners, Caleb Foster is set to be the most experienced player. His time at Duke has already been a rollercoaster. After a promising freshman year, an untimely injury sidelined him for both the ACC and NCAA Tournaments. His sophomore season saw him shift between starting and bench roles, but he finished strong with flashes of the talent Duke will now depend on.
Sophomores Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba are also back, and while they showed potential in their first seasons, neither saw much action in critical moments. They’ll need to take significant steps forward if Duke is to contend.
All eyes will also be on the incoming freshman class—particularly Cameron Boozer, who arrives with high expectations and will be asked to fill the massive shoes left by Cooper Flagg. Boozer, one of the top recruits in the country, could be Duke’s next star, but like any freshman, he’ll need time to adjust to the college game.
While Duke still boasts plenty of talent, the lack of veteran leadership and big-game experience could lead to early growing pains. It’s unlikely the team will match last year’s efficiency from the outset, but with time and development, the Blue Devils have the tools to become a high-level contender once again.
