Dame Sarr arrived in Durham with plenty of intrigue — a silky jumper, pro-level measurables, and a sky-high ceiling. But even the most optimistic projections didn’t have him making this kind of noise this early.
Now? He’s forcing Jon Scheyer to make some tough decisions.
Duke’s summer practices are always competitive. Spots aren’t handed out. Every drill is earned. And so far, Dame Sarr has been one of the biggest risers on the floor — showing a polished offensive game, surprising defensive versatility, and a confidence that’s hard to teach.
> “He’s not playing like a freshman,” one insider said. “He’s playing like he’s been here.”
Whether it’s knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, initiating offense when needed, or holding his own against older, stronger guards, Sarr is proving he’s more than a long-term project — he’s a right-now player.
And that’s created a good problem for Scheyer.
With returning talent like Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans, and fellow freshmen like Cameron Boozer pushing hard, the backcourt minutes were already tight. But Dame Sarr is making his case impossible to ignore.
> “He just doesn’t take bad reps,” said a staff member. “Everything he does has purpose.”
The phrase floating around the practice gym?
“We’ve got to find a way to keep him on the floor.”
It’s no longer a matter of if Dame Sarr will play — it’s how much.
And if summer is any indication, that answer could be: a lot.
