Top-seeded Duke’s season came to a heartbreaking close in San Antonio with a 70-67 loss to No. 1 seed Houston. The Blue Devils had built a 14-point second-half lead in the national semifinal, only to see it slip away down the stretch—bringing their NCAA Tournament run, and likely Cooper Flagg’s college career, to an end.
As Duke enters Year 4 under head coach Jon Scheyer, the program faces numerous questions. With Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach all expected to declare for the NBA Draft, Duke is likely staring at a significant overhaul of its starting lineup. Veteran transfer Sion James has used up his eligibility, while standout guard Tyrese Proctor is still weighing whether to return or go pro.
Proctor isn’t the only one with a big decision ahead. Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans are also at crossroads. Foster, a high-profile recruit from the 2023 class, averaged just 5.1 points across 37 games, while Evans—another five-star talent—contributed 7.0 points per game primarily off the bench.
Duke also faces a coaching staff change, with assistant Jai Lucas leaving mid-season to accept a position at Miami. So, what’s next for the Blue Devils? Here are three key offseason storylines:
Despite the disappointment, Duke showed this season it knows how to build a contender. The program made calculated roster changes last offseason, letting go of players like Jeremy Roach and Mark Mitchell to tailor the roster around Flagg. The result: Duke fielded the tallest starting five in Division I and dominated the ACC en route to the Final Four.
Strategic transfer additions played a big role. While the Blue Devils didn’t land any headline-grabbing names, players like Sion James (backcourt stability), Mason Gillis (shooting), and Maliq Brown (defense) made major impacts. Going forward, five-star recruit Cameron Boozer—son of Duke legend Carlos Boozer—will be the centerpiece of the next build.
Duke’s 2024 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 by 247Sports, producing multiple projected lottery picks. But now all eyes shift to the incoming 2025 class led by Boozer. His twin brother, Cayden Boozer, a four-star guard, will also join the team. Rounding out the class are five-star forward Shelton Henderson and four-star Nikolas Khamenia.
Cameron Boozer stands out as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and has been called the “surest thing in high school basketball” by 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein. The newcomers will likely play key roles—especially if Duke adds supporting talent via the transfer portal.
Several current players face big choices. Isaiah Evans, who flashed serious potential this season (highlighted by an 18-point, six-three performance against Auburn), could test the 2025 NBA Draft or return to improve his stock. Comparisons to Brandon Ingram have made him a high-upside prospect.
Tyrese Proctor, who returned for his junior year, showed growth—particularly from three-point range (41.2%)—but inconsistency at the free-throw line (68.6%) could impact his draft stock. He’s passed on the NBA before, but the window may now be opening.
Other names to watch: Caleb Foster, who struggled to lock down a starting role, and big man Patrick Ngongba II, who could be a valuable rotational player next season, especially if Flagg and Maluach leave.
In short, the Blue Devils are at a pivotal moment—navigating player turnover, recruitment, and roster strategy—but the foundation for another deep run remains intact.
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