You can feel the difference in the air at Duke’s summer practices. The drills are sharper. The intensity? Off the charts. And the energy? It’s like every player is on a personal mission.
Because they are.
After last season’s early NCAA Tournament exit, the Blue Devils aren’t just back — they’re back with a vengeance. And if the early summer footage is any indication, Duke isn’t playing nice this year. They’re coming for blood.
“We Remember Every Second”
Sources close to the team say the loss still haunts the locker room — and Jon Scheyer is making sure it does. Clips from last year’s collapse are reportedly being used in team meetings and practice film study. One returning player was overheard saying:
> “Every sprint, every rep, I think about that game. That feeling. That silence. We’re not letting that happen again.”
Isaiah Evans Is Out for Revenge
Sophomore Isaiah Evans has come back looking like a man possessed. He’s added muscle, tightened his handle, and is vocal in every drill. Teammates say he’s been the loudest in the gym — and not just talking trash, but leading. Coaches are calling him the emotional spark of the summer.
New Faces, Same Fire
Freshman Cameron Boozer hasn’t wasted a single second adjusting. He’s already been labeled “uncoachable — in the best way possible” due to how relentlessly hard he works. His twin brother Cayden is setting the tempo as a lead guard with something to prove.
Meanwhile, five-star forward Nikolas Khamenia is turning heads with how seamlessly he’s fitting into the system. The veterans are welcoming the fire.
> “It’s like they walked in mad. That’s exactly what we needed.”
Scheyer’s Summer Culture Shift
Jon Scheyer isn’t sugarcoating anything this offseason. He’s challenged his players with brutal two-a-days, grueling scrimmages, and high-pressure late-game situations. His message?
> “If we want to cut nets in March, we start bleeding in July.”
And this group has bought in. Fully.
Not Just Talk — It’s a Statement
The buzz around Durham isn’t just from fans — it’s coming from scouts. Multiple NBA insiders have shown up at practice, and one told a source:
> “This team looks like it got embarrassed… and now wants to embarrass everyone else.”
If that’s true, the rest of college basketball better buckle up.
Because if this really is Duke’s revenge tour…
It’s already off to a terrifying start.
