Duke basketball’s transfer recruitment efforts have hit a snag, as top guard Xaivian Lee has narrowed his options to Florida, Kansas, and St. John’s, excluding Duke from the mix. Lee, a 6’4″ guard from Princeton, averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game this season, earning First Team All-Ivy League honors in 2024 and 2025.
Lee’s Impressive Stats
Lee’s stats this season were impressive, with career highs in:
– Minutes per game
– Three-point percentage (36.6%)
– Rebounds per game (6.1)
– Assists per game (5.5)
– Steals per game (1.2)
What’s Next for Duke Basketball?
With Lee no longer in consideration, Duke coach Jon Scheyer and his staff will need to explore other options to solidify their backcourt for the 2025-26 season. The Blue Devils will lose most of their guards from last season, including Sion James, who is out of eligibility, and Tyrese Proctor, who is likely headed to the NBA draft.
Potential Opportunities
However, Duke might still make a late splash in the 2025 recruiting class, as four-star point guard Acaden Lewis recently decommitted from Kentucky. Lewis had chosen Kentucky over Duke and UConn, but Duke reportedly believes it has a shot to land him.
Uncertainty Surrounding Key Players
The offseason has been quiet for Duke basketball, with no key player announcing their decision regarding next season. Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach are likely headed to the NBA draft, but other key players, including Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster, have options to weigh. The dominoes are expected to start falling soon, and Duke fans will be watching closely to see what happens next.
