From Cameron Crazies to Roadrunner Nation: Stanley Borden Finds His Next Chapter at UTSA

From Cameron Crazies to Roadrunner Nation: Stanley Borden Finds His Next Chapter at UTSA

June 22, 2025 — One of Duke Basketball’s most beloved walk-ons is ready for one last ride  and it won’t be in Durham.

Stanley Borden, the affable 7-foot big man known as much for his infectious energy and musical cameos as for his on-court presence, has officially found his new home: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

For a player who spent three years immersed in the high-pressure, tradition-rich culture of Duke Basketball, this next step isn’t just about more minutes  it’s about maximizing one final season of college hoops on his own terms.

A Walk-On Like No Other

Walk-ons at elite programs often blend into the background  practice players, locker room glue guys, rarely acknowledged outside of Senior Night.

But Stanley Borden? He broke that mold.

Borden arrived at Duke as a 7-footer with limited playing experience and almost zero fanfare, but quickly carved out a unique place within the program. His rare size made him invaluable in practice, giving Duke’s scholarship bigs a legitimate post presence to work against. But it was his personality, leadership, and charisma that made him a favorite among teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

Most notably, Borden became a cult hero during Countdown to Craziness, Duke’s annual preseason showcase, when he emerged  saxophone in hand  and delivered a soulful solo performance that left Cameron Indoor Stadium roaring.

From that moment on, the Cameron Crazies had a new icon, and Borden had a role far bigger than any box score could measure.

Chasing Minutes, Finding Opportunity

Despite his popularity, Borden’s in-game minutes at Duke were extremely limited. Even in blowouts, the deep and talented Blue Devil rosters often left little room for a developmental big man to make an impact.

And that’s why this next chapter at UTSA makes so much sense.

Rather than ride out his final year on the bench of a blueblood, Borden has chosen a program where he can compete, contribute, and play meaningful minutes. At UTSA, he’ll bring veteran leadership, high basketball IQ, and the kind of behind-the-scenes work ethic that every mid-major dreams of adding to their locker room.

Plus, let’s be honest  being a Roadrunner sounds awesome. For anyone who grew up on Saturday morning cartoons, how can you not smile at that?

Beyond Basketball: What Comes Next?

While Borden may never be a pro basketball star, no one around the Duke program doubts that he’ll be a success in life. He’s intellectual, culturally curious, and musically gifted. A product of international upbringing, he’s always carried himself with a thoughtful perspective and big-picture focus.

Whether it’s in coaching, international relations, the arts, or business, Stanley Borden is a name you’ll hear again  just maybe not from the hardwood.

But before that, he’s got one last season to enjoy the game he loves, in a new uniform, with new fans, and new memories to make.

Bottom Line:

Stanley Borden’s story is far from over.

From a 7-foot saxophone soloist at Duke to a potential breakout star at UTSA, he’s proving that the walk-on path can still lead to something beautiful  and that popularity, purpose, and passion can follow you wherever you go.

So here’s to Stanley Borden:
The ultimate teammate.
The unlikeliest fan favorite.
And now  a proud Roadrunner.

Beep beep, Stanley. Go get it. 🏀🎷🔥