When Cooper Flagg left Duke, fans wondered how Jon Scheyer could possibly follow that act. But on Tuesday night inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, the answer arrived — and it didn’t take long to see it. In his very first college appearance, Duke’s newest 5-star freshman made the kind of debut that turns heads nationwide. Against a tough UCF squad, he looked every bit like the next superstar to carry the Blue Devils’ banner.
From the opening tip, he played with poise and polish far beyond his age. The stat line told one story — 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists on 12-of-19 shooting — but the performance told another. He attacked the rim with power, glided through defenders in transition, and showed the calm confidence of someone who’s been here before. Even in an exhibition setting, the stage never felt too big.
This wasn’t just an early-season tune-up. UCF’s roster brought real competition, and yet the Duke freshman controlled the game like a veteran. Every possession felt intentional — the shot selection, the rebounding, the unselfish passes. It was a complete performance that left coaches, teammates, and fans buzzing. Scheyer’s system once again looked like the perfect incubator for elite talent.
That’s been the quiet genius of Jon Scheyer’s program — he doesn’t rebuild after stars leave; he retools and evolves. The same foundation that helped Cooper Flagg shine is now empowering a new face to take command. You could feel it in the crowd — that unmistakable energy that says something special is happening again in Durham.
If this debut is any indication, Duke fans don’t need to worry about life after Flagg. The Blue Devils have their next leader — and the rest of college basketball just got their warning.
