Don’t let the quiet gym fool you — something big is shifting in Durham.
Summer practices at Duke have always been intense. But this year? It’s different. Not louder. Not flashier. Just… sharper. More deliberate. More calculated. And the biggest difference? It’s not about who’s playing well. It’s about how they’re playing.
Under Jon Scheyer’s watch, the Blue Devils look like they’re leaning into a new identity — one that’s less about raw star power and more about controlled chaos, defensive switching, and relentless tempo. It’s not a full overhaul… but if you’ve been watching close, it feels like Duke is starting to redefine what Duke basketball looks like.
A Shift in Tempo — and Trust
This summer, rotations have been quicker. Sets are flowing faster. Even the vets are adjusting. Caleb Foster, now stepping into an upperclassman role, is taking on more defensive leadership — calling switches, barking out closeouts, and setting the tone. And he’s not alone.
Maliq Brown — a transfer many thought would just be a depth piece — has been central to the system’s flexibility. His ability to guard multiple positions has unlocked something new in how Scheyer’s squad is defending in space.
The word “positionless” gets thrown around a lot in college hoops… but Duke is making it real.
Offense with Layers
On the other end of the floor, the Blue Devils aren’t just running actions — they’re building reads. Isaiah Evans has clearly studied the playbook this offseason. His timing, his off-ball movement, his patience in secondary actions? It’s catching the coaching staff’s attention.
What’s emerging is an offense that doesn’t rely on isolation or hero-ball. It’s more system-driven. More motion, more spacing, and more backdoor punishment for sleeping defenders.
And it’s working. Players are moving with a level of chemistry that usually takes longer to build — a sign that this system was emphasized from day one.
Scheyer’s Fingerprints Are All Over This
Make no mistake — this isn’t some accidental development. Jon Scheyer has been patient but purposeful in shaping Duke’s new identity. After last season’s ups and downs, the adjustments happening now feel like a response to that: build a deeper rotation, demand more versatility, and shift from star-dependence to system-dependence.
It’s a quieter kind of dominance.
So… Is Duke Changing?
All signs point to yes.
Will the Blue Devils still have stars? Absolutely. There’s too much talent on the roster for them not to. But what’s brewing this summer isn’t about just one player breaking out — it’s about the style breaking out.
This might not be your typical Duke team — and that might be exactly why they’re so dangerous.
