Despite landing yet another elite recruiting class, the projected Duke basketball starting five for the 2025-26 season features just two newcomers — and it’s already raising eyebrows.
Head coach Jon Scheyer enters his fourth year at the helm after leading the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament title and a Final Four appearance last season. With that success, many expected Duke to be firmly planted in the top 10 of early rankings. But ESPN’s Jeff Borzello sees it differently.
In his latest Top 25 update, Borzello places Duke at No. 12 — second among ACC teams and five spots behind the No. 7-ranked Louisville Cardinals. That ranking may surprise some, especially considering the talent Duke has on hand.
The Blue Devils brought in a stacked recruiting class made up of five top-tier prospects: four five-stars and one high four-star. And they didn’t just reload — they also retained six scholarship players from last year’s 35-win squad.
Borzello’s Projected Duke Starting Five:
Caleb Foster (Junior Guard)
Isaiah Evans (Sophomore Guard)
Nikolas Khamenia (Freshman Forward)
Cameron Boozer (Freshman Forward)
Patrick Ngongba II (Sophomore Center)
That lineup notably does not include two major names: Italian five-star wing Dame Sarr and five-star point guard Cayden Boozer. Both were expected by many to push for starting roles right away, but at least for now, Borzello sees them coming off the bench.
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is Nikolas Khamenia. While he’s a highly-rated prospect, he’s flown under the radar compared to the likes of Cameron Boozer or Sarr. Yet Borzello believes Khamenia has earned his spot in the starting lineup — a sign that his game might be more polished than many assumed.
Season Opener Set for Nov. 4
Duke will begin its 2025-26 campaign against the Texas Longhorns at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Texas didn’t crack Borzello’s Top 25 but was listed among his “next five in line.”
With competition heating up and talented freshmen vying for minutes, expect this Duke lineup to be fluid — especially in the early months.
