There’s a storm brewing in Durham—and it’s not coming from the weather.
As Duke kicked off its highly anticipated summer practices, what was supposed to be a smooth transition into the 2025 season has quickly turned into a gut check for several returning players. The message from inside the gym is loud and clear: the grace period is over.
> “No more excuses. You’ve either put in the work this offseason or you didn’t. And now we’re finding out,” one source close to the program said after the Blue Devils’ third closed-door practice.
The tone was set immediately by Cameron Boozer, the highly touted transfer who arrived with NBA pedigree and a chip on his shoulder. From the very first session, Boozer attacked drills like it was March, showing an edge and maturity that quickly elevated the energy—and exposed the complacency of a few familiar faces.
Pressure Mounts on the Returners
Duke fans had been banking on significant leaps from returning talents like Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, and Patrick Ngongba II. But early reports suggest the performances have been uneven.
Sources say Boozer’s effort, communication, and execution on both ends have set an unexpected standard, one that a few of last year’s contributors haven’t matched yet.
> “There were moments where it looked like Boozer was the one returning and the others were just trying to keep up,” a practice observer told reporters. “He doesn’t care about what you did last season—he cares about right now.”
The “Hype Filter” Is On
While summer is usually a time of optimism, this year’s early workouts are feeling more like auditions. Jon Scheyer is reportedly running ultra-competitive, high-intensity sessions—making it clear that roles will be earned, not inherited.
That environment is quickly separating those who lived in the gym this offseason from those who leaned too heavily on preseason praise. The hype is fading—and reality is hitting.
> “You can’t hide in these practices,” said one Duke insider. “Guys who looked great in highlight edits are getting cooked in live drills.”
Culture Reset? Or Reckoning?
After two years of postseason disappointment, Scheyer appears to be recalibrating the program’s tone—less country club, more boot camp. With Boozer leading by example and transfers fighting for real minutes, the idea of “waiting your turn” is being thrown out the window.
And fans are here for it.
Online forums and Duke Twitter have lit up with praise for the no-nonsense vibe, with many applauding Boozer for bringing urgency back to the Blue Devil locker room.
> “This is the best thing to happen to Duke since RJ Barrett walked in like he owned the place,” one fan posted.
Final Word
Duke’s summer practice isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about accountability. And if you’re not ready, you’ll get left behind. The excuses that once shielded underperforming talent are gone, and the culture is shifting.
With the season months away, the Blue Devils already know one thing:
You’re either built for this—or you’re not.
And summer practice is where we’re finding out.
