When Jon Scheyer took over the Duke program, there was skepticism. Could he fill Coach K’s shoes? Could he command a locker room of five-star talent and egos? Two years in, the answers are becoming clearer — but this summer? This is where it all shifts. Scheyer isn’t playing checkers with rotations, schemes, or culture. He’s playing chess. And if you’ve been paying attention, the moves are quiet… but ruthless.
No Flash, Just Precision
There haven’t been any bombshell announcements. No viral “moment” out of practice. But insiders are saying the vibe in Durham has changed. The offense is tighter. The defensive reads are sharper. And perhaps most importantly — roles are being redefined with surgical precision. Scheyer isn’t just adjusting lineups. He’s reshaping how this team thinks the game.
One coach was overheard saying: “It’s not just reps anymore. It’s reps with purpose. Everything feels intentional now.”
Isaiah Evans’ Expanded Role
Sophomore Isaiah Evans came in as a high-flying, high-scoring wing. But this summer, he’s learning how to slow the game down — seeing the floor, creating for others, and buying in defensively. His physicality has improved. His communication is louder. Evans isn’t just trying to score 20 — he’s learning how to control tempo. That shift doesn’t scream from the stat sheet, but it screams to NBA scouts.
Caleb Foster’s Quiet Control
Junior guard Caleb Foster has emerged as a true floor general. Not the loudest voice in the gym, but possibly the most respected. Scheyer is giving Foster more responsibility in late-clock situations during scrimmages. That’s no accident. He wants Foster to lead not just with talent, but with decision-making — the kind that wins March games.
One staffer noted, “You can feel it when Caleb takes over a drill. The pace changes. Guys respond. That’s leadership.”
The Maliq Brown Factor
Maliq Brown may not be a headline guy, but Scheyer is using him like a Swiss Army knife this summer. One possession he’s switching onto guards. Next, he’s anchoring the zone. He’s setting the tone physically, boxing out freshmen who think college hoops is all highlights. Brown is the culture piece — and this staff knows it.
Positionless… with Purpose
Scheyer isn’t ditching structure. But he’s giving his players more freedom within the framework. There’s been a noticeable uptick in “read-and-react” segments during practices. Less scripting, more feel. It’s not chaos — it’s control disguised as chaos. Duke’s offense is moving toward an NBA-style flow, and it’s all happening under the surface.
A Message in the Silence
While other programs are pumping out flashy mixtapes and open-practice footage, Duke’s been relatively quiet. But that silence is the point. There’s a focused edge in Durham. No dancing for the cameras. No guaranteed starting spots. Just film, grind, and subtle tweaks that could make all the difference when the lights come on.
Scheyer isn’t yelling. He’s evolving. And if these summer changes pay off the way the staff believes they will, we may look back and realize this July was when Duke stopped playing checkers… and started playing to win the whole game.
