Every new season in Durham brings fresh storylines, but this year, one name has started to buzz louder than the rest: Dame Sarr. The 6’7” guard from Italy isn’t just showing flashes of his high-upside talent — he’s dominating practice sessions with an edge that has coaches and teammates alike paying attention.
The Freshman Who Refuses to Wait
Sarr wasn’t expected to walk in and claim a starting job. With veterans like Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, and Darren Harris returning, plus transfer Cam Sheffield adding experience on the wing, Duke’s backcourt and wing spots looked crowded. But Sarr’s competitiveness is rewriting that narrative.
Reports out of practice say he’s been fearless going head-to-head with older players, attacking downhill with his length, shooting confidently from deep, and showing defensive instincts beyond his years. His combination of size and skill at the guard spot is something Duke hasn’t had in abundance — and it might be too valuable to keep on the bench.
How He Fits Into the Rotation
Duke’s projected core includes:
Caleb Foster steering the offense at point guard.
Isaiah Evans as a versatile scorer on the wing.
Maliq Brown and Patrick Ngongba II anchoring the frontcourt.
Incoming phenom Cameron Boozer expected to command minutes early.
That leaves the shooting guard/secondary playmaker slot up for grabs — and Sarr is making his case loud and clear. His length allows him to defend multiple positions, while his smooth perimeter shot gives Duke spacing it will desperately need alongside Boozer and Ngongba inside.
The Energy Factor
Teammates reportedly describe Sarr as “relentless” in drills and scrimmages. He doesn’t shy away from physical play, he hounds ball-handlers, and he runs the floor like a veteran. That kind of energy often translates into early playing time, especially when a freshman proves he can bring consistent effort on both ends.
What This Means for Scheyer
Jon Scheyer faces a good problem: too much talent. But if practices are any indication, Dame Sarr’s name might not just be circled as “freshman to watch” — it could be penciled into the starting five. His unique mix of size, skill, and grit is exactly the kind of X-factor Duke needs to chase championships.
If he keeps this pace, Sarr may go from under-the-radar recruit to breakout starter before Duke fans even have time to learn the correct pronunciation of his name.
