Jon Scheyer and the Duke staff came into summer with structure. A loose depth chart. Roles to evaluate. A balance between returners and incoming stars.
Then one freshman started changing the math — fast.
Dame Sarr, the 6’5” guard from Spain, has been the early shock of Duke’s summer practice sessions — and not because he’s playing well “for a freshman.” He’s just playing well, period.
> “We had a rough plan in place. Now we’re rethinking that plan,” one Duke assistant shared.
Sarr’s game is polished, but it’s the pace, confidence, and decision-making that have stood out. He’s knocking down shots, controlling tempo, defending with purpose — and forcing a re-evaluation of Duke’s rotation before August even begins.
Names like Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, and Cameron Boozer were expected to dominate the early headlines. But Sarr is stealing that spotlight with consistency and control.
And it’s not just coaches taking note — teammates are leaning on him more each day.
> “He’s making it really hard to take him off the court,” a source close to the program said. “That says everything.”
The original vision may have been to ease Sarr into key minutes.
That vision’s out the window now.
If this keeps up, Jon Scheyer won’t just find a spot for him —
He’ll have to build around him.
