If you watched any of Duke’s recent summer practices — or caught the cryptic clips released online — you might’ve walked away confused. The rotations are weird. The pairings are unusual. And in some scrimmages, top recruits weren’t even starting.
But if you think that’s a red flag, you’re missing the bigger picture.
It’s Not About “Who Starts” — It’s About “Who Fits”
Sources close to the team say Jon Scheyer is using this summer to test combinations, not lock in a depth chart. He’s putting players in uncomfortable spots. Asking wings to initiate offense. Forwards to defend in space. Guards to rebound like centers.
And it’s all intentional.
> “You can’t judge these lineups by position — you have to look at function,” one staff member told us.
“We’re building versatility. Matchup-proof basketball.”
Think Less 1-Through-5, More 1A-Through-1E
One moment you’ll see Cameron Boozer operating as a stretch-five in a four-guard set. The next, Nikolas Khamenia is defending a point guard 25 feet from the basket. Dame Sarr, normally seen as a pure scorer, has been tasked with running the offense in certain sets.
And while it might look messy now, there’s a method to the chaos.
Scheyer Is Hunting Mismatches — Not Just Roles
The buzzword around the program right now? “Pressure points.”
Every lineup they’re testing is designed to exploit a different kind of matchup — whether it’s speed vs size, spacing vs rim protection, or length vs shooting.
That means players like Sebastian Wilkins, who bring unique defensive versatility, are getting minutes with both the starters and deep bench units. It also means traditional roles are being blurred, even for returning players like Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell.
The Summer Is the Lab
This experimentation phase is exactly what Scheyer wants. He’s not coaching for July highlights — he’s engineering flexibility for March.
> “There’s no such thing as a second unit right now,” said one player.
“Everyone’s being tested — and no one’s comfortable.”
That’s by design. Because the end goal isn’t just depth. It’s adaptability.
Bottom Line:
If you’re trying to figure out Duke’s lineup logic too early, you’re already behind.
This isn’t about setting a rotation — it’s about building a roster that can beat any team, any style, any night.
And when it all clicks?
Good luck stopping them.
