Duke Basketball Reloads for 2025-26: Jon Scheyer Secures Commitment from Dame Sarr to Cap Elite Recruiting Class
After a stunning exit in the 2025 NCAA Final Four, Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils have wasted no time resetting and reloading for another run at a national championship. Despite losing a significant portion of the team to the NBA Draft—including the program’s crown jewel in Cooper Flagg—the Blue Devils have quickly reshaped their roster into one that could be just as dangerous in the 2025-26 season. With a foundation built around one of the strongest incoming freshman classes in the country and an international star now joining the mix, Duke looks poised to remain at the forefront of college basketball.
A Mass Exodus After a Deep Tournament Run
The 2024–25 Duke team, led by an exceptional freshman trio and a couple of veteran guards, appeared destined for greatness. But after a heartbreaking loss in the Final Four, the Blue Devils saw a mass departure of talent. Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 player in the 2024 recruiting class and one of the most electric freshmen in recent college basketball memory, officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. He was joined by fellow freshmen Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, both of whom also entered the draft after one season in Durham.
In addition to those three, Duke also lost guards Tyrese Proctor and Sion James. Proctor, a junior, had been a key playmaker and floor general since his freshman year, while James brought toughness and versatility to the backcourt. With those five players gone, Scheyer and his staff faced a significant challenge in rebuilding a roster that could maintain Duke’s elite standard.
Recruiting Reload: The Boozer Twins and More
Fortunately for Duke, the groundwork for a strong future had already been laid through an elite recruiting class. As of spring 2025, Duke had already secured commitments from three top-tier prospects according to 247Sports: twin brothers Cameron and Cayden Boozer, sons of former Duke standout and NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, and Nikolas Khamenia, another five-star forward with impressive versatility.
The Boozer twins, who have long been linked to Duke due to their family legacy and mutual interest in the program, headline the class. Cameron, a physical and skilled power forward, is considered one of the top three players in the 2025 recruiting cycle. His brother, Cayden, is a dynamic guard capable of facilitating offense and making plays on both ends of the court. Khamenia, a rangy wing from California, rounds out the trio of initial five-star pledges and brings a modern blend of size, shooting, and defensive upside.
But even with those three stars on board, Scheyer wasn’t done. On Thursday, Duke added another major piece to its 2025 class in the form of Italian wing Dame Sarr, widely regarded as one of the top international prospects of the year.
A Global Addition: Dame Sarr Chooses Duke
Sarr, an 18-year-old standout from Italy, announced his commitment to the Blue Devils over offers from a number of top programs, most notably Kansas. According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Sarr is ranked as the No. 17 overall recruit in the 2025 class by On3 and holds five-star status on 247Sports as well. A native of Senegal who moved to Italy at a young age, Sarr has been playing professionally in Europe with FC Barcelona since 2022, gaining invaluable experience against older and more seasoned competition.
Tipton broke the news of Sarr’s commitment on Instagram, stating: “Dame Sarr, On3’s No. 17 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has committed to Duke… Chose the Blue Devils over Kansas. The 6-foot-6, 18-year-old Italian wing has most recently been playing professionally with FC Barcelona.”
The announcement quickly made waves within the Duke community and beyond, and even drew a social media reaction from future teammate Cayden Boozer, who enthusiastically welcomed Sarr in the comment section, writing: “Yessir twinnn.” The comment reflects the growing bond among Duke’s incoming class—a group that seems intent on competing for championships from day one.
Sarr’s Rise to Prominence
While Sarr’s decision to play college basketball in the U.S. came as a surprise to some, he’s been on the radar of NBA scouts and international basketball insiders for quite some time. His most notable performance came during the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit, where he suited up for the World Team and delivered a standout showing. In just 25 minutes of action, Sarr tallied 17 points and four rebounds, showcasing a blend of athleticism, shooting, and two-way potential that had NBA executives taking notice.
Measuring 6-foot-7 and possessing smooth mechanics as a shooter, Sarr has the skill set of a modern wing but also plays with a savvy and polish gained from his years in the European pro system. His time with FC Barcelona—one of the most respected basketball clubs in the world—allowed him to develop his feel for the game against elite competition, giving him a head start over most incoming freshmen.
Originally viewed as a likely commit to Kansas due to the Jayhawks’ longstanding interest and track record with international talent, Sarr’s decision took a turn after a recent visit to Durham. That visit, combined with the influence of Duke’s culture and history, sealed the deal.
“Duke Was My Dream School”
In an interview with ESPN following his commitment, Sarr shared what ultimately led him to choose Duke: “Duke was my dream school. I watched a lot of NCAA games this season, especially Duke. I played with Jabari Parker this season, who went to Duke. When I had the chance to go there, I had to take it.”
Sarr’s reference to Jabari Parker—another former Duke star who spent time with FC Barcelona—illustrates the ties that continue to bind Duke’s basketball community across generations and continents. Parker’s presence clearly had an influence on Sarr, offering a firsthand glimpse into what life is like for a Duke alum and what it means to be part of that brotherhood.
Sarr’s desire to be part of the Blue Devil program wasn’t just about basketball. It was about history, legacy, and the opportunity to play on one of the sport’s biggest stages. And now, with his commitment, Scheyer has added a high-upside piece who can contribute right away.
The New-Look Blue Devils
With the addition of Sarr, Duke’s 2025 recruiting class now features four five-star prospects, all ranked inside the top 25 nationally. It’s a class filled with size, skill, athleticism, and most importantly—chemistry. The Boozer twins, Khamenia, and Sarr provide Scheyer with a balanced group capable of spacing the floor, defending multiple positions, and creating matchup problems across the board.
There may still be transfer portal moves or late additions to round out the roster, but the backbone of next year’s team is now clearly in place. What’s more, these freshmen will arrive with a shared understanding that Duke’s expectations don’t change just because the faces do. Championships are the goal—and the culture Jon Scheyer has built emphasizes development, discipline, and team-first basketball.
After the heartbreak of the 2025 Final Four, it’s clear Duke won’t be fading away. If anything, the program has doubled down on its commitment to excellence, bringing in a group that can continue the legacy left by Cooper Flagg and company. With Dame Sarr officially on board, the Blue Devils’ 2025-26 season just became must-watch basketball.
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