Amanda Knapp
After Duke basketball's season-ending loss to NC State in the NCAA Tournament, there are many questions about what the Blue Devils will look like in the 2024-25 season. Second-year coach Jon Scheyer brought back four of five starters from a squad that won the 2023 ACC Tournament, but they fell short of expectations. Injuries plagued the team, and they ended the season with a disappointing loss to NC State in the Elite Eight. With six freshmen set to join the roster and a few key players still deciding their future, the Blue Devils have a lot of potential for the upcoming season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Roster | Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, Khaman Maluach, Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, Darren Harris, Patrick Ngongba, Sean Stewart, TJ Power, Mason Gillis, Caleb Foster, Mark Mitchell, Ryan Young, RJ Davis |
| Potential Starting Lineup | McCain, Foster, Flagg, Ngongba, Evans |
| Potential Starting Lineup | McCain, Foster, Flagg, Stewart, Ngongba |
| Potential Starting Lineup | McCain, Foster, Flagg, Ngongba, or Reeves, or Stewart |
| Potential Starting Lineup | Roach, Proctor, Flagg, Maluach |
| Potential Transfer | Mason Gillis |
| Coach | Jon Scheyer |
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What You'll Learn
Potential new recruits
Duke's 2024 recruiting class is ranked No. 1 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings, so there is a lot for Duke fans to be excited about. The Blue Devils have six freshmen set to join the roster, including Cooper Flagg, one of the most hyped prospects in recent years. Flagg is a talented offensive player, with the length to be a pest protecting the rim, and the skill to make step-back jumpers, take the ball coast-to-coast, or find a teammate with a perfect pass.
Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center, joins Flagg in the frontcourt. Maluach may not be a true sharpshooter, but he and Flagg could be one of the top frontcourts in the nation. Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel are wings capable of scoring in a variety of ways, and Darren Harris is a knockdown shooter. Patrick Ngongba is a post player who has dealt with injuries and will need to be brought along slowly.
VJ Edgecombe is another potential recruit, who would be a welcome addition to the starting lineup. Duke has also been linked with former Purdue forward Mason Gillis, who brings valuable experience, strength, and shooting ability.
Duke has room for Sean Stewart and TJ Power to return, but the internal expectation is that at least one of them will transfer. Stewart is a non-shooter but brings great athleticism and rebounding, while Power has good size at 6-foot-9 but needs to bulk up and improve his 3-point consistency.
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Returning players
Duke's 2024-25 basketball roster will see the return of several key players from the previous season. The team is expected to be led by sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor, who opted to return for another year despite being a potential NBA draft pick. Proctor will look to build on a promising freshman campaign, where he showcased his defensive abilities and improved his 3-point shooting. Joining Proctor in the backcourt will likely be Jeremy Roach, who has the option to return for a fifth year due to COVID-19 rules. Roach was a consistent performer for Duke last season, leading the team in 3-point shooting at 43%.
Freshman guard Caleb Foster is also expected to return and contribute to the backcourt rotation. Foster missed the final nine games of his freshman season due to injury but is projected to be a key piece for Duke in the upcoming season. Another returning player who will look to make an impact is Mark Mitchell, who was an integral part of the team's rotation as a sophomore.
The frontcourt will feature 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach, who forms a formidable duo with Cooper Flagg. Maluach is a highly touted recruit and is expected to be one of the top centers in the nation. Flagg, a freshman, is considered a generational talent with a well-rounded offensive skillset and the ability to protect the rim. Isaiah Evans, a wing player, adds further depth to the frontcourt and is capable of scoring in a variety of ways.
Duke's returning players will be complemented by a highly-ranked recruiting class, adding to the team's depth and talent. The Blue Devils have six freshmen joining the roster, including Patrick Ngongba, a post player who will be brought along slowly as he recovers from injuries. With a mix of experienced returners and exciting newcomers, Duke's basketball team is expected to be a strong contender in the upcoming season.
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Starting line-up
Duke's starting lineup for the 2024-25 season is yet to be decided, but there are several players who are expected to feature prominently. The Blue Devils have six freshmen joining the roster, including Cooper Flagg, one of the most hyped prospects in recent years. Flagg is a versatile player who can shoot, protect the rim, and create opportunities for teammates with his passing. Joining him in the frontcourt will likely be 7-footer Khaman Maluach, who can also provide some shooting.
Other freshmen expected to contribute include wings Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel, who can score in a variety of ways, and Darren Harris, a knockdown shooter. Patrick Ngongba is another post player who could feature, although he is coming off injuries and may need time to recover. Jared McCain and Caleb Foster are also expected to return and could form a strong backcourt pairing. McCain is a consistent scorer who can shoot well from 3-point range, while Foster is coming off an impressive freshman season.
There are still some question marks over the roster, with players such as Sean Stewart, TJ Power, and VJ Edgecombe yet to confirm their commitments for next season. Stewart brings athleticism and rebounding but is not a strong shooter, while Power has good size at 6-foot-9 but needs to improve his 3-point shooting and add some bulk. Edgecombe is a highly-rated recruit who would likely slot into the starting lineup if he joins.
One potential starting lineup that has been suggested is McCain, Foster, Flagg, Ngongba, and Evans. This lineup would provide dynamic scoring and youth, although it may be a concern for Coach Jon Scheyer to start three freshmen. Another option could be to include Stewart or Power in place of Evans to add some more experience and versatility. With so much talent on the roster, Scheyer will have some tough decisions to make, but the Blue Devils are well-positioned to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
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Shooting ability
Duke's shooting ability will be a key focus for the team's roster construction and strategy heading into the 2024-25 season. While Cooper Flagg is a highly versatile player, he is not a true sharpshooter, so the team will look to surround him with shooting talent. Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center, is another key piece who may develop into a shooter but is not there yet.
Duke will need to prioritize adding reliable shooters to maximize the space around Flagg and Maluach. This could involve targeting certain players in the transfer portal or focusing on developing current players' shooting abilities. Tyrese Proctor, for example, shot 35.2% from 3-point range last season, up from 32% the previous season. If he can continue to improve his shooting, he will be a crucial piece for Duke.
Jeremy Roach, who has the option to return for a fifth year, shot 42.9% from 3 last season and would be a valuable asset if he decides to come back. Another player to watch is TJ Power, who has great size at 6-foot-9 but needs to improve his 3-point consistency to earn a serious role next season. Sean Stewart, on the other hand, is a non-shooter who brings athleticism and rebounding but doesn't fit ideally alongside Flagg and Maluach.
Duke's incoming recruiting class features several players capable of high-level scoring, including Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel, who can score in a variety of ways, and Darren Harris, a knockdown shooter. The team's strategy will likely involve utilizing these players' scoring abilities to complement the playmaking and defensive skills of Flagg and Maluach. With a talented roster and a focus on shooting, Duke has the potential to make a deep run in the 2024-25 season.
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Roster continuity
Second-year coach Jon Scheyer has prioritized continuity and long-term development, and this is reflected in the roster. Sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor and freshman guard Caleb Foster are expected to return, providing experience and leadership. Proctor, who shot 35.2% from 3-point range, will be crucial in creating space for Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach, the latter being a highly touted 7-foot-2-inch recruit. Jeremy Roach, a reliable 3-point shooter, could also return for a fifth year due to COVID-19 rules.
The Blue Devils also have six freshmen joining the team, including the highly touted Flagg, who is projected to be a generational talent. Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Darren Harris are wings capable of scoring in a variety of ways, while Patrick Ngongba is a post player with injury concerns. These additions bolster an already strong core, with key players like McCain, Foster, and Maluach providing a solid foundation.
The team's depth and versatility are further enhanced by the potential return of Sean Stewart and TJ Power, who have yet to announce their decisions. Stewart brings athleticism and rebounding, while Power has great size at 6-foot-9 and an impressive basketball IQ. With these pieces in place, Duke Basketball is well-positioned to make a deep run in the upcoming season.
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Frequently asked questions
Duke fans have a lot to be excited about for the 2024-25 season. The Blue Devils have six freshmen in a 2024 recruiting class that comes in at No. 1 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings. The team will be led by Cooper Flagg, one of the most hyped prospects in recent years. Khaman Maluach, a 7-footer, and Flagg could be one of the top frontcourts in the nation.
Some of the other key players for Duke include Jared McCain, Caleb Foster, and Patrick Ngongba. McCain and Foster are expected to be the leaders in the backcourt. McCain, a freshman, averaged 14.3 points and 5 rebounds per game and was one of Duke's most consistent scoring options. Foster, a freshman guard, was an integral part of Duke's rotation this season. Ngongba is a post player who has dealt with injuries but is expected to be a contributor.
One player that Duke is rumoured to be interested in is former Purdue forward Mason Gillis. Gillis was the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year this season and brings valuable experience, having played in the national championship game. He has the strength to defend opposing power forwards and is also a capable 3-point shooter.
