The Duke basketball program is undergoing a major transition after losing its entire starting five from the 2024-25 season. Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Khaman Maluach have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, while Sion James, who has exhausted his college eligibility, is also a strong draft prospect.
With so much talent and experience departing, head coach Jon Scheyer faced a pivotal off season. Decisions loomed for players considering the NBA, the transfer portal, or a return to Durham. But as the portal closes, Duke appears reloaded and ready for the 2025-26 campaign.
Key returners include Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, Darren Harris, Patrick Ngongba II, and Isaiah Evans—though Evans is testing the NBA waters. The Blue Devils also secured Cedric Coward, one of the top guards in the transfer portal, from Washington State.
Adding to that, Duke brings in the No. 3 ranked 2025 recruiting class per 247Sports. Between returning contributors, experienced transfers, and top-tier freshmen, the Blue Devils have an impressive mix of talent and veteran leadership.
Here’s a look at Duke’s projected 2025-26 starting lineup:
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Caleb Foster (Junior)
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Isaiah Evans (Sophomore)
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Cedric Coward (Senior)
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Cameron Boozer (Freshman)
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Patrick Ngongba II (Sophomore)
Key rotation players:
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Cayden Boozer (Freshman)
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Maliq Brown (Senior)
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Nik Khamenia (Freshman)
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Darren Harris (Sophomore)
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Cameron Sheffield (Senior)
In today’s college basketball landscape, continuity and experience often trump raw talent—and Duke has both. Scheyer is sticking with a similar formula as last year: a roster built around length, versatility, and switchable defenders.
Remarkably, the shortest player in the projected rotation is the 6’4″ Foster. That size, combined with defensive depth, could make Duke a nightmare matchup once again in 2025-26.
Cedric Coward has already voiced his excitement about joining the program, and with the offseason retooling nearly complete, Duke is well-positioned for another deep run next March.
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