Most Important Takeaways Following Duke Basketball’s First 5-on-5 Scrimmage

Most Important Takeaways Following Duke Basketball’s First 5-on-5 Scrimmage

The Blue Devils gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come this November and it’s already turning heads in Durham.

It may be the middle of July, but Duke basketball is already generating buzz with the release of intrasquad scrimmage highlights on YouTube. While the content may have flown under the radar, it quietly offered a compelling first look at what Jon Scheyer’s squad might resemble once the season tips off in November.

Still missing key forward Maliq Brown  who’s recovering from shoulder surgery following a rare double shoulder dislocation  the rest of the team took the floor for a 5-on-5 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The nearly four-minute clip, though brief, gave fans and analysts a valuable preview of chemistry, rotations, and individual growth.

Early Insight into the Starting Five

One of the most immediate takeaways was the glimpse of a potential starting lineup. Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Isaiah Evans, Cameron Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba appeared to have the inside track for opening night roles. It’s not yet set in stone, but these five showed flashes of synergy and composure that will likely factor into Scheyer’s rotation planning.

Darren Harris Looks Like a Sharpshooting Sleeper

Yes, it was a highlight reel, so take it with a grain of salt  but Darren Harris was lights out from deep. After a quiet freshman year that saw him average just 2.0 points on 22.7% shooting from three in 6.0 minutes per game, Harris stayed in Durham instead of transferring. That decision may pay off in a big way. His shooting form looked clean, confident, and repeatable, and if he can bring that consistency to real games, expect him to earn minutes and quickly become a dangerous weapon off the bench.

Isaiah Evans is Growing Physically and Skill-wise

All eyes were on Isaiah Evans entering the offseason, and he’s showing promising signs. Known primarily as a perimeter threat, Evans clearly spent time in the weight room his body looks stronger, more athletic, and more college-ready than it did a season ago. Often compared to Brandon Ingram because of his slender build and length, Evans seems to be following a similar development arc.

Beyond his frame, Evans also showcased new dimensions to his game  slashing to the rim, drawing contact, and attacking off the dribble. His evolution could be the X-factor in Duke’s quest for a Final Four run. With time on his side before November, Evans’ development is one of the more exciting subplots of the Blue Devils’ offseason.

What’s Next?

Though it’s early, the first scrimmage video suggests a team that’s already developing chemistry and a competitive edge. Veterans are stepping up, freshmen are flashing their potential, and Jon Scheyer has plenty of tools to work with as Duke prepares to make noise once again on the national stage.

If this is only the beginning, the rest of college basketball might want to take notice.