One look at Duke’s summer practices, and the message is clear: no one’s spot is safe.
Jon Scheyer has been relentlessly mixing rotations, pairing stars with walk-ons, freshmen with veterans, and bigs with ball-handlers in unfamiliar spots. It’s not random — it’s revealing. And it’s putting everyone, from top recruits to returning starters, under the microscope.
So… is Scheyer still figuring it out?
Yes — but it’s by design.
The Rotation Isn’t Settled — And That’s a Good Thing
Lineups are shifting by the minute. One session saw Cameron Boozer, the highly-touted power forward and #1-ranked prospect in the class, running alongside Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba II, and Dame Sarr, the dynamic Italian wing out of FC Barcelona.
The next scrimmage? Nikolas Khamenia, a smooth small forward who’s made waves on the USA Basketball circuit, was playing next to Maliq Brown, the defensive anchor and senior forward, and Cayden Boozer, Cameron’s twin brother and poised freshman point guard.
And Sebastian Wilkins, the reclassified 2025 forward, is everywhere — logging time with both high-octane and defensive-minded lineups.
> “There’s no pecking order right now,” said one insider. “Scheyer wants to see how every piece interacts. It’s all about synergy.”
Who Fits Where — Not Who’s Flashiest
While fans may expect the top recruits to plug straight into starting roles, that’s not how Scheyer’s operating. Every combination is about functionality — not fame.
Cameron Boozer has been tested as both a traditional 4 and a small-ball 5.
Dame Sarr has been pushed to initiate offense — not just score.
Khamenia is defending 1-through-4 in various lineups.
Cayden Boozer is sharing the floor with returning guard Darren Harris, as coaches test dual-PG sets.
Isaiah Evans, the sophomore wing with explosive scoring potential, has been rotated in with second units, forcing him to lead.
> “They want guys to lead regardless of who’s around them,” one observer noted. “It’s mental — not just physical.”
Veterans Still Have to Prove It
The returnees aren’t exempt from this experimentation either.
Caleb Foster, coming off a strong finish to last season, is being challenged to become more vocal and consistent in crunch-time drills.
Maliq Brown is being paired with stretch forwards to expand his role defensively.
Ngongba II is getting tested in fast-paced lineups — a shift from his traditional half-court comfort zone.
Darren Harris, who shined in the NCAA Tournament, is adjusting to more off-ball movement — something he didn’t do as much last season.
> “The coaches are watching how these guys adapt to chaos,” a source shared. “If you can thrive in these scrambled lineups, you’ll thrive in March.”
Scheyer’s Formula: Pressure + Flexibility = Trust
Summer isn’t about final answers — it’s about collecting data. And Scheyer is taking full advantage.
He’s building a roster that can defend in space, score through mismatches, and survive injuries or foul trouble.
If that means Cameron Boozer spends a day coming off the bench or Isaiah Evans closes a scrimmage with walk-ons — so be it.
Because when the rotation does settle?
It won’t be about reputation. It’ll be about chemistry, adaptability, and trust.
