Every summer brings new names into the spotlight, but this offseason at Duke? It’s a returning player — Maliq Brown — who’s flipping the script.
Brown has always been the type to do the dirty work: rebound, defend, hustle, repeat. But this summer, he’s added polish to that grit — and the results are showing up in every drill. Coaches say he’s stronger, quicker, and making better reads than ever before. More vocal. More confident. And most noticeably: more aggressive with the ball.
“He’s not waiting for the game to come to him anymore,” one staffer said. “He’s going out and taking it.”
The biggest surprise? Offense.
Brown’s always been a dependable finisher around the rim, but now he’s stepping out with a face-up jumper that’s looking smooth in live reps. His footwork is tighter, his defensive switches are cleaner, and he’s anchoring the backline with a quiet intensity that’s starting to rub off on the rest of the squad.
And that’s where it gets interesting.
Because while Maliq is making his leap, other names are stepping up — and the competition is real.
Isaiah Evans is playing with purpose.
The sophomore wing, already known for his scoring flashes, is showing improved poise and shot selection. Coaches have noticed how much stronger he looks finishing through contact — and how much louder his presence has become in huddles. “He’s not just a shooter anymore,” one coach noted. “He’s reading the floor now.”
Caleb Foster looks like a grown man at the point.
Entering his junior season, Foster is organizing the offense with a maturity that’s commanding attention. His voice echoes during sets, and his pace is dictating everything. With Scheyer’s new tweaks emphasizing movement and spacing, Foster’s calm decision-making is becoming a crucial anchor.
Dame Sarr, the freshman guard everyone’s talking about, is proving he belongs.
Coaches expected growing pains — but not this kind of poise. His energy, length, and ability to blow up plays on defense have made him a surprise standout early. “He’s fearless,” one insider said. “He’s going at older guys and winning those battles.”
Back to Brown.
With the way he’s playing, it’s no longer a question of whether he’ll be in the rotation — it’s how high up he climbs.
Because if Maliq Brown keeps showing this kind of growth — defending multiple positions, scoring in space, directing younger players — he’s not just earning minutes. He’s becoming a tone-setter. A veteran presence with the production to back it up.
And in a loaded ACC race, Duke needs exactly that.
Don’t sleep on him.
Because when practice tape tells the truth… Maliq Brown’s name keeps coming up first.
