It’s only summer, but if you’ve been paying attention to Duke’s practices — even in limited clips and whispers — one thing is becoming very clear:
This team is way ahead of schedule.
And the rest of the country? They’re starting to notice.
Let’s start with Cameron Boozer. The hype around him was already real — but he’s somehow exceeding expectations. The 6’9” freshman looks like a grown man in drills, commanding the paint, vocal on defense, and already flashing the footwork of a seasoned vet. One source close to the program said, “He’s not waiting his turn. He’s trying to lead right now.”
Then there’s Nikolas Khamenia, the versatile forward with a motor that doesn’t quit. He’s been everywhere in scrimmages — crashing boards, defending three positions, and spacing the floor. Reports from inside the gym say Scheyer has tried him in multiple roles already… and he’s thriving in all of them.
But maybe the biggest buzz? Dame Sarr.
The Italian wing hasn’t just adapted — he’s exploded. His shot is pure, but it’s the poise that’s turning heads. In one closed-door scrimmage, he reportedly hit three straight pull-ups to close out a game, looking completely unbothered by veteran pressure.
Sebastian Wilkins is also making a name for himself early. Coaches have praised his willingness to do the dirty work — taking charges, diving for loose balls, setting hard screens — and that’s the kind of glue guy every Final Four team needs.
What’s most striking, though, isn’t any one player — it’s how together they already look. The spacing is clean. The rotations on defense are sharp. There’s communication. There’s hunger.
And perhaps the most dangerous thing of all? There’s depth.
Multiple lineups are working. Multiple freshmen are stepping up. And veterans are fighting to keep their spots — because this young core is not playing around.
So yeah, it’s still summer.
But make no mistake — what Duke is showing in practice is shaking the rest of the NCAA.
If this is how they look in July… just imagine what’s coming in March.
