The sound inside Duke’s practice gym this summer isn’t just the echo of bouncing balls — it’s the thud of bodies colliding, the sharp commands of coaches, and the relentless pace of drill after drill.
From the outside, some fans are questioning it. “Why are they going this hard in August? Won’t it burn them out before the season even starts?”
But for players like Caleb Foster, the junior guard who’s seen both triumph and heartbreak in Durham, this isn’t overkill — it’s preparation. “Every rep matters,” Foster said. “When we get to March, we’ll thank ourselves for the pain we feel now.”
Head coach Jon Scheyer isn’t shy about his vision. This summer is about forging a roster that can handle anything — and that means testing everyone. Isaiah Evans, now a sophomore wing, has visibly bulked up, using the high-intensity sessions to sharpen his defensive presence. Maliq Brown, the senior forward, is anchoring the interior with a veteran’s voice, demanding communication on every possession.
The young talent isn’t being eased in, either. Cameron Boozer is matching Brown’s physicality in the paint, while his brother Cayden Boozer runs drills at a pace that has even the upperclassmen breathing hard. Dame Sarr, the Italian wing, is flashing his scoring instincts in scrimmages — but also being pushed to defend with the same fire. Nikolas Khamenia and Sebastian Wilkins are learning quickly that here, you either adapt or get left behind.
Even role players are being sharpened. Patrick Ngongba II is becoming a reliable rim protector. Darren Harris is shooting under pressure like the game’s on the line. Cameron Sheffield is embracing his versatility. And Spencer Hubbard, the smallest guy in the gym, might just have the biggest voice, rallying teammates when fatigue sets in.
Sure, some fans still doubt this approach. They see the bruises, the exhaustion, the occasional flare-up in scrimmages. But inside the locker room? They see something else — a team that’s building trust, sharpening edges, and refusing to accept anything less than a championship standard.
And if this summer grind ends with the Blue Devils cutting down the nets, nobody in Durham will be wondering if it was worth it.
