No More Talk. No More Guessing. Today’s Practice Made One Thing Clear: This Team’s Not Just Talent — It’s Toughness.
For weeks, people chalked it up to typical Duke preseason buzz — a flashy recruiting class, a few returners with upside, and a coach saying all the right things. But after what happened in practice today? The narrative just flipped. Because the real story isn’t about who Duke brought in. It’s about who just took over.
Dame Sarr isn’t just “next up.” He’s making a case to be the guy.
From the moment the ball tipped in today’s scrimmage, Sarr’s presence was different. The speed, the poise, the competitive fire — it all popped. Whether he was knocking down tough shots off the bounce or taking command as the lead guard in live-action drills, it became obvious: this isn’t your typical freshman learning curve. This kid is ahead of schedule — and he’s coming fast.
But it wasn’t just the offense. Sarr hounded older guards full-court, jumped passing lanes, and even got under a returning starter’s skin enough to draw a little chirping. The gym got quiet after that play — not out of tension, but respect. Coaches didn’t say a word. They didn’t have to. Everyone saw what was happening.
And while names like Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans continued to hold their own, it was Dame who brought the edge. The tempo shifted when he touched the ball. The communication got sharper when he was on the floor. His energy was contagious — and for a freshman this early in the process, that’s not normal.
Jon Scheyer didn’t crown him. But he didn’t need to. All he did was leave Dame in with the vets while others subbed out. Message sent.
Today, Duke didn’t look like a group of individuals. It looked like a team — and Dame Sarr looked like a core piece of it.
The whispers are over. The flashes are turning into facts.
Duke’s not just “loaded.” They’ve got a freshman who’s already rewriting the pecking order.
