Duke basketball finds itself in a new chapter — and once again, Jon Scheyer is embracing the challenge head-on.
After a dream season that included the ACC regular-season title, tournament championship, and a Final Four run, the Blue Devils are undergoing a complete reset. The entire starting five — including freshmen phenoms Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach — declared for the NBA Draft, leaving Scheyer with a mostly blank slate.
But that hasn’t shaken his vision. In fact, the fourth-year head coach is leaning in even harder.
> “We doubled down on the positional size,” Scheyer explained during Tuesday’s summer press conference. “We doubled down on versatility, and we doubled down on building team chemistry.”
Scheyer hopes to replicate last season’s success with a new-look squad that still reflects Duke’s evolving style — long, athletic, interchangeable, and team-first.
Who’s Filling the Void?
To fill the massive talent gap, Duke turned to elite recruits like:
Cameron Boozer, one of the most highly touted prospects in the nation
His twin brother Cayden Boozer
Five-star forward Nikolas Khamenia
International standout Dame Sarr
Reclassified wing Sebastian Wilkins, originally a 2026 prospect
While none have logged a college minute yet, their potential is sky-high.
They’ll be joined by returners:
Caleb Foster
Isaiah Evans
Darren Harris
Patrick Ngongba II
Maliq Brown
These five are expected to provide leadership and continuity as Duke builds a new identity.
> “At the end of the day, it’s not about one individual,” Scheyer said. “It’s about the team. And I believe we’ve got the right people for that.”
What’s Changing — And What’s Not
Despite the roster overhaul, Scheyer says Duke won’t dramatically shift its system.
He still wants the Blue Devils to be known for positionless basketball, defensive versatility, and fluid offense — but he’s also looking to improve on last season’s weaknesses.
> “There are definitely things we can do better stylistically,” he admitted.
Scheyer believes the new group has the tools to play even faster and more creatively, but the key will be how quickly they buy into the culture.
With one of the most talented freshman classes in the country and a growing reputation for player development, Duke is aiming higher than ever: A national title.
