On paper the Duke basketball squad has enough to win a title. Size, length, and shooting are all there, but the Blue Devils’ extreme lack of experience may prove to be their undoing come springtime.
Cedric Coward, a transfer from Washington State, decided to stay in the NBA Draft rather than play for Duke, thus Jon Scheyer turned to Dame Sarr, a gifted international prospect, to take his place.
Even though Coward had no experience playing Division I basketball at the highest level, he was aware of the emotional and physical toll that a season entails. In addition to his physical tools, it would have been a useful addition to this squad.
Sebastian Wilkins, a freshman who reclassified from 2026 to 2025 to join the squad this summer, completed the Blue Devils’ roster. This marked five freshmen in the program at a time when other teams in the nation are attempting to clear out their older rosters through the transfer portal.
Although having a fairly youthful roster is nothing new for Duke, this year is different. Last season, Scheyer had a generational freshmen class, and its top producers—Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, and Cooper Flagg—all left for the NBA.
Tyrese Proctor and Sion James, two of the program’s dependable veterans, have also gone, and all three players are predicted to be chosen in the Top 10.
Its leaders have also left a vacancy, in addition to the best players from the previous season.
Junior Caleb Foster, who had an amazing journey last season, going from being a starter at the start of the season to being completely out of the rotation by early February before making a comeback as a rotational player off the bench in the postseason, is under a tremendous amount of pressure.
With the exception of Isaiah Evans, who played in a few key games last season but only averaged 13.7 minutes per game and played only 4.5 minutes in the NCAA Tournament following the Round of 64, its returning sophomores are gifted but inexperienced.
While sharpshooter Darren Harris was hardly mentioned during his rookie season, Pat Ngongba, who showed promise in extended minutes at the end of the season, only played 10.6 minutes per game after battling a persistent foot injury in the early going.
Cameron Boozer, a highly regarded incoming freshman, was ready to be among the top players in the nation the next season. However, would Cayden Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia, Sarr, or Wilkins, his fellow rookie teammates, be able to step up and replace their predecessors?
Ifeanyi Ufochukwu of Rice and Jack Scott of Princeton, the two transfer portal newcomers this offseason, are anticipated to be non-factors on the floor, much like Cameron Sheffield was last year.
The squad will consist of five freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors, and three seniors. Maliq Brown, who was ineffectual at the conclusion of the previous season due to two shoulder dislocations in four weeks, will return.
Nonetheless, Jon Scheyer has high expectations for his squad, putting the Blue Devils through a difficult non-conference schedule. It would be wise to let this club experience some growing pains in the early going so that they are ready to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
