For years, Duke’s rosters have overflowed with talent — but that edge, that grit, that refusal to get punked? It’s been hit or miss. This summer, though, the Blue Devils aren’t just building chemistry. They’re building a backbone. Practice has been a battleground, and it’s revealed something critics didn’t expect: Duke’s got fight again.
At the center of it all is Caleb Foster, the now-veteran guard who’s stepped into full command of the backcourt. He’s vocal. Demanding. Scrappy. In every scrimmage, he’s the tone-setter — pointing out missed switches, calling out soft fouls, and refusing to let tempo drop. He’s not just a steady hand anymore. He’s a floor general with fire.
Isaiah Evans has undergone a transformation of his own. Once viewed mostly as a scorer with flair, he’s now embracing physicality on both ends. He’s chasing rebounds out of his area, bodying up bigger wings, and jawing with anyone who brings lazy effort. That “sophomore leap”? Evans is turning it into a leap in toughness, not just stats.
Then there’s Maliq Brown, the senior forward who’s quietly become the locker room’s no-nonsense anchor. His screens are bone-rattling, his rebounding ferocious, and his leadership understated but respected. When things get chippy — and they have gotten chippy — Brown is the guy who calms the chaos without killing the edge.
And let’s talk about Patrick Ngongba II. His development over the offseason has been impossible to ignore. At nearly seven feet and 250 pounds, he’s no longer just a project. He’s a physical presence who’s starting to play like he knows it. One practice source said it plainly: “Ngongba doesn’t get pushed around anymore. He pushes back.”
Meanwhile, Darren Harris has added muscle and attitude to his silky jumper, and Cameron Sheffield — the 6-6 wing transfer — is already earning respect with his relentless energy. Even walk-on Spencer Hubbard has made his presence felt, going full-throttle in every drill and pushing the pace in ways that force others to match it or fall behind.
But maybe the biggest spark? The freshmen.
Cameron Boozer came in with No. 1 recruit buzz, but he’s playing like he has something to prove, not something to protect. He’s absorbing contact, talking trash, and making it clear he’s not here for a soft landing. Cayden Boozer, his twin brother and floor leader in the making, is already drawing comparisons to past Duke point guards who led with toughness over flash.
Nikolas Khamenia looks polished and poised — but what’s really surprised coaches is how physical he is on both ends. And Dame Sarr? The Italian wing brings Euro pro composure, but don’t mistake that for being passive. He’s fearless. Confident. Already mixing it up with older guys like he’s been in Durham for years.
Even Sebastian Wilkins, the reclassified forward, has embraced the grind. He’s raw, but he doesn’t shy from contact — and in this practice environment, that matters.
Bottom line: This summer’s Duke squad isn’t building a brand. They’re building toughness. No plays off. No fake hustle. Just real competition, real accountability, and real edge. The culture shift is unmistakable.
So the next time someone calls Duke “soft,” show them the tape from this summer.
Because that label? It’s gone.
And this new version of Duke? They’re out for blood.
