Last season’s Final Four exit at the hands of Houston still stings, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Duke under Jon Scheyer, it’s this — they don’t rebuild. They reload. And this summer, it’s becoming clear: the 2025–26 Blue Devils might just be the deepest team the program has seen in over a decade.
From grizzled vets to star freshmen, every position is a battle, and that’s exactly how Scheyer likes it.
Let’s break it down.
Freshmen Turning Heads Fast
Cameron Boozer is already living up to the hype. The five-star power forward — son of Duke legend Carlos Boozer — has been dominating the glass and flashing a midrange jumper that’s smoother than expected.
His twin brother, Cayden Boozer, isn’t far behind. A gritty four-star guard, Cayden has taken on veteran guards in full-court drills and isn’t backing down. Word out of Durham is that the twins’ chemistry on the floor is already giving Duke’s offense a whole new rhythm.
But don’t sleep on the rest of this loaded class:
Dame Sarr has brought serious athleticism and shot creation.
Nikolas Khamenia is physical, polished, and reportedly outplayed upperclassmen in early post drills.
Sebastian Wilkins is emerging as the energy guy — diving for loose balls, flying around the perimeter, and earning early respect from the coaching staff.
Sophomores Making a Jump
Returning sophomores are not letting the newcomers take over without a fight.
Caleb Foster, who dropped 20+ multiple times last season, is playing like a leader. His shooting and pace are on another level.
Isaiah Evans has added weight and confidence — now bullying his way to the rim and talking while doing it.
Patrick Ngongba II has quietly transformed his body and is holding his own against Duke’s bigger frontcourt rotation.
Darren Harris, a sharpshooter by trade, is working on his handle and defense — and is said to be “unguardable” in certain practice stretches.
Ifeanyi Ufochukwu has the staff excited about his upside. A raw big last year, he’s starting to put it together.
Veteran Backbone Brings Balance
If you thought the freshmen would run the show — think again.
Maliq Brown is the glue guy, a do-it-all forward who brings toughness, versatility, and leadership. He’s anchoring the defense and keeping practices intense.
Cameron Sheffield, a transfer with size and shooting, is spacing the floor and proving he belongs in high-pressure moments.
Jack Scott may not make highlight reels, but he’s winning every hustle stat. Coaches love his IQ and grit.
Jon Scheyer’s Challenge: Too Much Talent?
> “This team could go 10, maybe 11 deep — without a drop-off,” one assistant said.
Scheyer has a good problem: he can mix and match lineups to exploit matchups all season long. Want to go big? Plug in Boozer, Khamenia, and Ngongba. Want speed and shooting? Roll out Harris, Foster, and Evans.
What’s scary? The second unit is beating the starters in scrimmages. That’s how deep this roster is.
The Blue Devils enter the 2025–26 season with a chip on their shoulder and a roster that looks like it was built in a lab.
So now the question is:
Can anyone else in college basketball keep up?
