He wasn’t the most hyped name in Duke’s elite freshman class. But after one intense week of summer practice in Durham, Dame Sarr is no longer flying under the radar. The 6’6” Italian wing turned heads with a performance that coaches are quietly calling the biggest surprise of the offseason. From the moment he stepped on the court, Sarr looked poised, aggressive, and ready — hitting shots, locking up defensively, and even taking over portions of the scrimmage with veteran-like confidence.
In one stretch alone, Sarr buried a tough corner three, chased down a fast break block, and dropped a slick pass to Patrick Ngongba II for an easy finish — all in under two minutes. But it wasn’t just the highlight plays. It was the way he moved without the ball, how he communicated on switches, and the physicality he brought to every rep. One coach said bluntly: “He’s not waiting his turn — he’s trying to take someone’s spot.” And with Duke’s depth this year, that kind of edge might be exactly what earns him early minutes.
Caleb Foster, now a junior, looked like the team’s vocal leader — directing traffic, setting up teammates like Darren Harris, and keeping the offense balanced. But even he started deferring to Sarr during stretches where the freshman clearly had the hot hand. Meanwhile, Isaiah Evans brought his usual fire, getting into a loud exchange with Nikolas Khamenia after drilling a contested jumper. Coaches didn’t stop it — they encouraged it. Because that kind of competitive energy is what Duke lacked early last year.
Up front, Maliq Brown anchored the defense and continued to show why he’ll be one of the Blue Devils’ most reliable pieces this season. His communication helped stabilize younger lineups, and his rebounding gave the guards room to run. Still, despite standout moments from veterans, it was Sarr’s versatility and effort on both ends that stole the gym’s attention — especially with how quickly he’s picked up Duke’s system.
It’s still July. But if this week is any sign of what’s coming, Duke may have found something special in Dame Sarr. He’s not just playing well for a freshman — he’s setting a tone. And with this roster full of talent, that tone might be the difference between growing pains and an early-season statement. Don’t be surprised if Dame’s name starts showing up on scout reports sooner than expected — because inside Duke’s program, the staff is already taking notice.
