It’s just July, but the atmosphere inside Duke’s practice gym feels like late February. Coaches aren’t babysitting, players aren’t coasting, and reputations? They’re getting rewritten in real time.
Some players are falling short of expectations — while others, like freshman Dame Sarr, are rewriting their narratives altogether. For a team loaded with talent and ambition, summer isn’t about promise. It’s about proof.
Caleb Foster’s Role Is Under Fire
Junior guard Caleb Foster entered the offseason expected to be the steady hand in Duke’s backcourt. But inconsistency has crept in — especially on the defensive end, where lapses in focus have become a recurring theme. Add in erratic shooting and turnover issues, and Foster suddenly finds himself locked in real competition. The staff still believes in his upside, but his minutes? They’re no longer guaranteed.
Isaiah Evans Still Has Growing Up To Do
Sophomore wing Isaiah Evans has shown flashes — long, athletic, and electric when he’s in rhythm. But those flashes haven’t translated into consistent production. Coaches are still waiting for him to tighten up his reads, play within the system, and bring the same intensity on defense as he does on offense. He’s not falling out of the rotation — but he’s no longer penciled in as a breakout either.
The Player Silencing Doubts? Freshman Dame Sarr
Nobody expected this kind of jump from Dame Sarr. The freshman guard came in labeled as a development piece — someone to bring along slowly behind veterans. But in just a few weeks, he’s forced a complete rethink. Sarr’s shot mechanics are clean. His decision-making is ahead of schedule. And most impressively? He’s guarding older, stronger players without backing down. One source inside the program said it best: “He’s not just ahead — he’s ahead of guys we thought would start.”
Lineup Battles Heating Up
The coaching staff is mixing rotations faster than usual — and it’s not just for evaluation. There’s urgency behind the changes. With Sarr surging, Foster sliding, and Evans still adapting, there’s real movement in the depth chart. Scrimmages have become must-win situations, with effort, focus, and execution dictating who runs with the first group. And as one insider noted, “There are no sacred cows this year. You earn it or sit.”
Some Veterans May Get Left Behind
Duke’s experience won’t mean much if the younger guys keep outperforming them. That’s the message being delivered — loudly — inside practice. If you’re not bringing toughness and consistency every day, someone younger, hungrier, and sharper might just take your job. It’s not personal. It’s Duke.
