The college basketball world just got a fresh dose of excitement, and it’s coming straight out of Durham. Duke basketball officially released its first practice videos of the season, and fans are already buzzing about what they saw from Jon Scheyer’s squad.
From the crisp ball movement to the early flashes of rotation strategy, the Blue Devils wasted no time showing why they’ll once again be in the national spotlight this year. Scheyer, now entering his third season at the helm, appears to have his team locked in and already buying into a system that emphasizes depth, versatility, and — most importantly — chemistry.
Fans React: “This Looks Like Midseason Form”
Social media lit up as soon as the practice clips hit. Highlights included Caleb Foster running the offense with senior-level poise, Isaiah Evans flashing his smooth mid-range game, and Darren Harris knocking down threes like a seasoned sniper.
The frontcourt was just as impressive. Maliq Brown and Patrick Ngongba II showed a physical inside presence that had fans fired up, while grad transfer Cedric Coward and newcomer Nikolas Khamenia brought the kind of versatility that makes this roster dangerous at multiple positions.
And of course, the Boozer brothers stole the show — Cameron Boozer looked dominant attacking the rim and crashing the glass, while Cayden Boozer showcased elite playmaking and leadership beyond his years.
“This isn’t practice energy — this is March energy in September,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another chimed in: “Duke looks scary already. Scheyer’s rotations are exactly what this roster needs.”
Scheyer’s Blueprint Coming to Life
A big storyline this offseason was whether Scheyer could take a talented roster and make it click faster than last year’s squad. Early evidence says yes. Duke appears to be blending veterans with incoming talent in a way that could give the Blue Devils one of the most balanced rotations in the nation.
The practice clips showed groups of five rotating seamlessly — Foster pushing tempo, Evans and Harris spacing the floor, Cameron Boozer powering through defenders, and Ngongba cleaning up everything around the rim. Add in the flashes from Dame Sarr and Sebastian Wilkins, who both brought energy and athleticism, and it’s clear this team has depth to spare.
This wasn’t just highlight material; it was structured, deliberate, and showed a team already tuned into the details.
Why It Matters
Every September, practice videos flood the internet, but not every team sparks this much reaction. For Duke, this first glimpse shows that Scheyer’s plan is working — a deep roster, positionless basketball, and a team that’s already playing with urgency. If what we saw in September is a preview of what’s coming in February and March, the Blue Devils might just be ahead of schedule in their quest for another Final Four run.
