The Duke basketball rotation for 2025–2026 has undergone significant modification throughout the summer, and further changes are probably in the works. The likelihood that Cedric Coward will stay in the NBA Draft and not play for the Blue Devils the next season is growing with time.
Meanwhile, international talent Dame Sarr is being pursued by Jon Scheyer and his colleagues as a successor. Sarr was initially linked to Duke, Kansas, Illinois, and Oregon, but the Italian shooting guard was strongly encouraged to commit to the Jayhawks following a visit to Lawrence. However, Scheyer has since climbed back into the fight for Sarr after realizing the diminished probability that Coward would return to college basketball, and the Blue Devils are now regarded the frontrunners for the Italian’s services.
So, let’s take a look at the updated projected starting five for the 2025-26 Blue Devils.
PG – Caleb Foster – Junior
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73223970/2033244607.0.jpg)
Foster will almost certainly be the lone senior in the starting five for the upcoming season if Duke trades Coward for Sarr. This will provide the rising junior a fresh opportunity to make an impression on the collegiate basketball scene following a lackluster sophomore year. Foster had a lot of excitement going into 2024–25 and started the season as a starter, but he was benched for Sion James and wasn’t a major contribution for the most part. Foster has a chance to establish himself as a starter on a team capable of winning a title as the Blue Devils’ seasoned captain for the next campaign.
SG – Isaiah Evans – Sophomore
Scheyer was thrilled to have Evans return for another season because the shooter was interested in both the NBA Draft and the transfer portal. After declaring he will return to Duke, Evans added his name to the 2025 NBA Draft early entry list, raising some concerns. However, he removed his name from the draft before to the NBA Combine, solidifying his place in Durham for the following season.Evans, who was mostly a 3-and-D player as a rookie, has the opportunity to soar in the 2026 NBA Draft with a more prominent role the next season. Evans’ three-point shooting accounted for 81% of his shot attempts and 78% of his baskets. Combined with his already exceptional shooting skills, a season to hone his offensive and defensive skills might propel him to lottery level in 2026.
SF – Dame Sarr – Freshman
Duke is suddenly the front-runner for the Italians’ services, and he may be immediately promoted to a starting position. We’ll start Sarr at the three to mix things up, but it would probably be Sarr or fellow incoming freshman Nik Khamenia. Sarr participated in 12 Liga ACB games and 15 Euro League games while playing for FC Barcelona in 2024–25. In nine minutes of play, the shooting guard averaged 3.5 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting 44.8% from outside the arc and 53.7% from the field. If Coward ends up staying in the draft, Duke will need to add the international prospect.
PF – Cameron Boozer – Freshman
Many believe Boozer has the potential to be the best rookie in the nation, making him the prospect Duke fans are most eager to see next season. Boozer, one of the most accomplished high school talents in the past ten years, is ranked as the #3 overall recruit in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Together with his twin brother and another Duke signee, Cayden Boozer, Boozer led his high school program to a Chipotle Boys National Championship as a senior at Columbus High School (FL), averaging 22.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
C – Patrick Ngongba II – Sophomore
Since he will be starting despite not making a significant contribution as a rookie, Ngongba will be an interesting figure to watch on the Blue Devils team next season. He spent much of his rookie season dealing with injuries, but as his playing time rose, he displayed glimpses of exceptional rim protection and transitional running skills in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.Ngongba will need to make significant changes to maintain Duke in the top ten or so in the country. His offensive package will need to be strengthened significantly during the summer, but the Blue Devils currently lack depth at the five slot. Ngongba is the only center on the current roster with minutes played for a high-major program, but the Blue Devils recruited Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, a Rice transfer center, through the portal.
