Intensity. Pressure. A standard that never dipped. But this summer? The tone feels… different. And that’s what has fans divided.
Behind closed doors, Duke’s summer practices are pushing boundaries — not just physically, but philosophically. The drills are less about punishment, more about precision. There’s more freedom, more spacing, more modern concepts. And while some love it, others are asking: “Is this really Duke?”
The culture shift was subtle at first — more emphasis on reads, on skill development, and spacing over strict sets. But the deeper into July practices get, the more it feels like a new era is officially here.
Some insiders are calling it evolution. Others? Softness.
And it doesn’t help that a few newcomers are already turning heads. Cameron Boozer has been as advertised — poised, powerful, and vocal beyond his years. Dame Sarr, fresh off his time with FC Barcelona, has brought a European smoothness and spacing instinct that’s changing the feel of the offense.
Then there’s Nikolas Khamenia, who’s been everywhere — defending multiple spots and crashing the glass with relentless effort. And don’t forget Sebastian Wilkins, whose motor and physicality have made a clear impression in live drills.
All of it has stirred up the depth chart. Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster — key returners — are now in legit battles for roles they once seemed locked into. And it’s all happening because the young guys didn’t show up to wait their turn — they showed up to take it.
Coaches seem thrilled with the progress. The energy is high, the skill level is obvious, and there’s a buzz around the gym. But not everyone is convinced.
One scout summed it up bluntly:
“It looks more like an NBA camp than what Duke used to run. But that might not be a bad thing.”
Time will tell if this shift builds a title contender… or waters down what made Duke so feared in the first place.
