The Blue Devils find themselves right back near the top of the college basketball landscape as a new season approaches
Heading into Year Four under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke is once again positioned as a national championship contender. Despite losing five players to the NBA after last season’s Final Four run, the program remains loaded with talent and ambition. The six returning players will be expected to step into larger roles, but they’ll be joined by a recruiting class that has the rest of the country taking notice.
Scheyer and his staff secured the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, featuring three players ranked among the top 25 prospects in the 2025 class. That infusion of elite talent helped boost Duke’s position in ESPN’s final preseason rankings, where the Blue Devils climbed from No. 12 in July to No. 10 just weeks before their season opener against Texas in Charlotte on November 4.
While the departures of Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel leave big shoes to fill, Scheyer has already shown an ability to rebuild quickly amid constant roster turnover. This season should be no exception.
Leading the way for Duke’s freshman class is Cameron Boozer — the son of former Duke standout Carlos Boozer — who headlines the top-ranked group and is expected to step directly into the starting lineup. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello noted, “Cameron Boozer isn’t Flagg, but Boozer is a lock to be one of the most productive freshmen in the country.” He also highlighted that Nikolas Khamenia and Dame Sarr are both in contention for starting roles, while returning sophomore Isaiah Evans is primed for a breakout season.
According to Borzello’s projection, Duke’s likely starting five includes Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Nikolas Khamenia, Cameron Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba II. With two freshmen in the lineup — Boozer and Khamenia — the Blue Devils’ ceiling could depend heavily on how quickly their young stars adapt.
Boozer has the potential to record a double-double on any given night, while Khamenia brings a versatile skill set to the wing. At 6-foot-8, Khamenia is not only a capable scorer and rebounder but also a smart passer who can keep the offense flowing. He might not always fill the stat sheet, but his ability to make the right plays could be crucial to Duke’s success.
Nationally, Purdue opens the season ranked No. 1, followed by defending champion Florida at No. 2. Within the ACC, only Louisville, ranked No. 6, sits ahead of the Blue Devils. Still, with a balanced blend of returning experience and elite newcomers, Duke is poised to make another deep postseason run — and potentially bring another banner home to Durham.
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