Heading into summer practice, most Duke fans knew Dame Sarr was talented. The flashes were there in high school, and the hype surrounding his commitment was real. But no one expected him to look this polished this early.
From the first whistle, the 6’5″ freshman guard has been locked in—playing with poise, pace, and purpose that’s rare for someone just arriving on campus. Coaches have praised his feel for the game, his ability to make the right reads, and, maybe most importantly, his willingness to compete defensively.
“He’s not acting like a freshman,” said one staff member. “He’s acting like he’s ready to help us win right now.”
What’s been most impressive isn’t just the shot-making or athleticism—it’s how quickly Sarr has adjusted to the physicality and speed of the college game. His teammates have reportedly been vocal about how sharp he looks, especially in live 5-on-5 segments.
With every practice, it’s becoming harder to keep him out of the rotation conversation.
Scheyer has a loaded backcourt this year, but if Dame keeps this up, someone might lose minutes. Because right now, the freshman from overseas is proving he’s not just part of Duke’s future—he might be a key part of their present.
And that’s not what anyone expected… not this fast.
