In Durham, summer practice is usually a time for teaching, experimenting, and figuring out which pieces fit. But this year? It’s looking a lot less like trial-and-error and a lot more like a blueprint for dominance. No wasted talent. No awkward fits. Just veterans, freshmen, and breakout stars meshing like they’ve been running together for years.
Veteran Backbone
The tone-setters have been the returning leaders — Caleb Foster bringing poise and shot-making from the backcourt, Maliq Brown anchoring the paint with physicality and rebounding, and Cameron Sheffield adding toughness and versatility on the wing. Even Spencer Hubbard, the smallest guy on the floor, has been huge in pushing the pace and setting the competitive tone in drills.
Freshmen Who Don’t Play Like Freshmen
The hype around Cameron Boozer was massive coming in, and he’s already showing why — dominating stretches of scrimmages with his combination of strength and skill. His twin brother, Cayden Boozer, is running the point like a seasoned veteran, keeping the offense fluid. Nikolas Khamenia has been a Swiss Army knife on both ends, while Dame Sarr’s shooting and slashing have given the offense another dimension. Don’t overlook Sebastian Wilkins either — his energy and willingness to do the dirty work are making him a coach’s favorite early.
Rising Stars Finding Their Gear
Isaiah Evans is making a statement in year two — stronger, more confident, and attacking the rim with purpose. Patrick Ngongba II looks healthier and more mobile than last season, cleaning the glass and altering shots at a high rate. Darren Harris is dialing it up from deep, stretching defenses and opening lanes for the Boozers and Evans to attack.
Chemistry You Can’t Fake
The most striking thing about these practices isn’t the highlight plays — it’s the way this group moves together. Whether it’s Cayden Boozer finding Isaiah Evans on a backdoor cut, or Maliq Brown covering for a teammate on a defensive rotation, the timing and trust are already there. That kind of cohesion is rare in August, and it’s got Jon Scheyer’s staff buzzing.
Why It Matters
Duke has had talent before — plenty of it. But the past few years have shown that talent alone doesn’t guarantee a deep March run. This year’s roster feels different because it’s not just a collection of stars; it’s a team built with balance in mind. Every player has a role — and right now, from Caleb Foster’s leadership to Dame Sarr’s wing scoring, those roles are being executed to near perfection.
If summer practice is truly a preview of what’s coming, the rest of the ACC might want to start planning for a much tougher winter.
