The latest NBA Mock Draft has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world — because not one, not two, but five Duke Blue Devils have been projected as first-round picks.
That’s right. Jon Scheyer’s squad, already carrying sky-high expectations heading into the 2025–26 season, might have an entire starting lineup destined for the NBA lottery boards. And if the projections hold true, it would mark one of the most impressive draft classes in Duke’s storied history.
A Chance at Redemption
For Scheyer, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Last season ended in heartbreak — one of the biggest tournament collapses in NCAA history left the Blue Devils short of the Final Four dream. But now, with a fresh start and the No. 1 recruiting class in the country joining key veterans, Duke has reloaded in a way that makes them look almost unfair on paper.
Some analysts are already calling this the most talented roster in college basketball. And while debate is always part of the preseason chatter, this new mock draft from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman adds some serious weight to that argument.
Five Blue Devils in Round One
Wasserman didn’t just sprinkle a couple of Blue Devils in the late first round. He placed five — yes, five — Duke players in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
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Cameron Boozer, widely considered the crown jewel of this recruiting class, lands at No. 2 overall to the Washington Wizards. Some mocks even argue he could sneak into the top pick conversation, and given his size, skill, and maturity, it wouldn’t be a shock.
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Right behind him, his twin brother Cayden Boozer cracks the lottery at No. 11 to the Sacramento Kings. Cayden has taken massive strides in his game this summer, and insiders believe he could make an immediate impact in Durham, perhaps even sooner than expected.
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At No. 17 to the Milwaukee Bucks, Wasserman has penciled in Dame Sarr. The versatile wing is currently battling for a starting role, but his athleticism and upside make him a clear NBA-level talent.
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Patrick Ngongba II, despite battling nagging injuries throughout his young career, is viewed as too talented to ignore. He goes 22nd to the Golden State Warriors. Scouts still see a high ceiling if he can stay healthy.
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Finally, Isaiah Evans, long considered a breakout candidate for this season, sneaks into the back end of the round at No. 24 to the New York Knicks. Many around college basketball believe Evans is poised to become one of the nation’s next big stars.
Who’s Missing?
Curiously, Nik Khamenia, another five-star freshman in Duke’s incoming class, didn’t make Wasserman’s draft board. That absence could be a hidden blessing for Scheyer — if Khamenia returns for a sophomore year, the Blue Devils may reload once again with lottery-level talent.
Still, his absence highlights the reality of Duke’s roster: there are only so many minutes to go around. Players like Khamenia and Sarr are locked in a heated battle for the starting small forward role, and the depth on this team means someone’s bound to feel the crunch.
Talent Isn’t Enough
Five projected first-rounders may look like a cheat code, but as Duke fans know, talent alone doesn’t guarantee banners. The Blue Devils are still an incredibly young team, and in today’s era of college hoops, experience and chemistry matter as much as raw skill.
For Scheyer, the challenge is clear: take a group loaded with NBA-caliber stars, forge them into a cohesive unit, and prove that last year’s disappointment was nothing more than a stepping stone.
If he succeeds, Duke could not only return to the Final Four — they could stand atop the mountain as national champions. And if that happens, the NBA draft boards will only confirm what the college basketball world already knows: in Durham, the future of basketball is being built right now.
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