Andrew Pace
Duke University's basketball team, the Blue Devils, has seen a lot of roster changes in recent years, with players leaving for the NBA draft, transfer portal, or eligibility expiration. In 2023, six players, including three potential first-round NBA draft picks, left the team. In 2024, nine players left the Elite Eight roster, including Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain, who were expected draft departures. Other players who entered the transfer portal include Stewart, Power, Roach, Blakes, Mitchell, and Reeves. The team has also gained some new players, including Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis, and Khaman Maluach, who is ranked sixth nationally. With a talented recruiting class and a mix of returners, the Blue Devils are expected to be strong contenders for the 2024-25 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players leaving | 10 |
| Reasons for leaving | NBA draft, transfer portal, eligibility expiration |
| Players entering the transfer portal | Stewart, Power, Roach, Blakes, Mitchell, Christian Reeves |
| Committed elsewhere | Stewart (Ohio State), Power (Virginia), Mitchell (Missouri) |
| Players who can't return | Sion James, Mason Gillis (fifth-year seniors) |
| Players with NBA interest | Evans, Proctor, Maluach, Gillis, Brown, Ngongba |
| Players with injury issues | Brown, Harris |
| Predicted stayers | Caleb Foster, Proctor, McCain, Roach, Mark Mitchell |
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What You'll Learn
Players entering the NBA draft
Duke University's basketball team, the Blue Devils, has seen a lot of roster changes in recent years, with many players entering the NBA draft. In 2023, no fewer than six players, including three potential first-round draft picks, were expected to leave Duke for the NBA. The team's head coach, Jon Scheyer, has kept his recruitment strategies close to his chest, but it is clear that the Blue Devils are prepared for some turnover among their players.
In 2023, it was expected that the following players would declare for the NBA draft: Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Mark Mitchell, Tyrese Proctor, Jeremy Roach, and Sean Stewart. Filipowski, a sophomore, was described as a likely departure due to his strong performance, averaging more than 16 points and eight rebounds per game. McCain was also expected to leave, with some sources noting his five-star recruit status and impressive performance in the Final Four. Mitchell, a 19-year-old who provided valuable contributions as a complementary piece, was also expected to declare for the draft, although his limited offensive contributions might make him a second-round pick. Proctor, another potential departure, was a five-star recruit who averaged a career-high 12.4 points and made 40% of his 3-pointers. Roach, a two-time captain and three-year guard, averaged 30.3 minutes per game over three seasons and was suspected to be leaving Duke. Lastly, Stewart, a freshman, played around eight minutes per game and was expected to see more playing time in the following season.
In addition to these players, Duke has also seen other talented individuals join the NBA draft process. Isaiah Evans, a fearless shooter who made 41.6% of his 3-pointers, and Patrick Ngongba, a 6-foot-11-inch center who averaged 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 15.7 minutes per game during the Sweet 16, are among those who have drawn NBA interest. With such a talented pool of players, it is no surprise that the Blue Devils are consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the nation.
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The transfer portal
Vernon Carey Jr., a freshman forward, has been a key contributor to Duke's success this season. However, with the potential for him to be a high lottery pick in the NBA draft, there is a strong possibility he could leave for the NBA. Should Carey decide to return to college, entering the transfer portal could be an option to explore, as he would undoubtedly be a highly sought-after player.
Tre Jones, another freshman, has also had a standout season with the Blue Devils. While there is a chance he could declare for the NBA draft, returning to Duke or transferring to another program are also possibilities. Jones has the talent and potential to make an impact wherever he chooses to play, and the transfer portal could provide him with an opportunity to explore his options and find the best fit for his playing style and development.
Then there are the players who may be looking for a fresh start or more playing time. Juniors Javin DeLaurier and Jack White could potentially look to transfer to a program where they would have a larger role and more minutes. DeLaurier, a forward, and White, a guard, have both seen their playing time fluctuate during their time at Duke. The transfer portal could offer them the chance to find a program that better suits their skills and provides more consistent playing opportunities.
Additionally, players like sophomore forward Joey Baker and freshman center Mark Williams could also consider the transfer portal. Baker has seen limited playing time this season, and with a deep class of incoming freshmen next year, his minutes could be further reduced. Williams, meanwhile, may find himself in a similar situation with the potential for more frontcourt players to join the team in the future.
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Eligibility expiration
NCAA eligibility is based on a student-athlete's academic readiness and amateur status. Eligibility is typically granted for four seasons, which can be used across five academic years, although there are exceptions, such as COVID-19 or a redshirt year. This eligibility window is contingent on the athlete's amateur status, which can be compromised by receiving benefits or compensation, such as prize money or payments for promotions.
The eligibility criteria also include academic requirements. While the NCAA no longer mandates the SAT or ACT, specific colleges or scholarships may still require these scores. Additionally, student-athletes must pass 16 approved NCAA Core Courses during their high school years, with the exact requirements varying between D1 and D2 schools.
In recent years, there has been some uncertainty surrounding NCAA eligibility rules due to pending litigation and potential rule changes. For instance, a case in New Jersey challenged the NCAA's five-year rule, creating a sense of flux within the college athletics landscape. This uncertainty has led some players to enter the transfer portal, aiming to maintain flexibility in case of rule changes that could impact their eligibility.
It is important to note that eligibility requirements can vary for different divisions. For instance, Division 3 schools set their own academic eligibility rules, while junior colleges only require a high school diploma or an approved equivalency test for student-athletes.
The NCAA has also introduced temporary waivers to extend eligibility in certain cases, such as for athletes who attended non-NCAA institutions and were set to expire during the 2024-2025 academic year. These waivers provide an additional year of eligibility, allowing athletes to compete in the 2025-26 academic year if they meet other requirements like degree progress.
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Roster changes
Duke's roster has seen a lot of changes in recent years, with the team retooling after a loss to Tennessee in the second round of the 2023 NCAA tournament. Head coach Jon Scheyer has had to make some tough decisions about who to keep and who to let go.
In 2023, no fewer than six players were expected to leave Duke, including three potential first-round NBA draft picks. The team also had several players considering making the jump to the professional league. Despite these losses, Duke was able to secure the nation's second-best recruiting class, with top-tier prospects such as Mackenzie Mgbako, Jared McCain, Caleb Foster, Sean Stewart, and TJ Power.
In 2024, Duke's drive for a national championship in the NCAA tournament ended with a loss to North Carolina State in the Elite Eight. This resulted in more roster changes, with nine players leaving the team in a few weeks. Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain were expected draft departures, but the transfer of seven other players, including two-time captain Jeremy Roach, came as a surprise. Roach averaged 30.3 minutes per game over three seasons and may have wanted to start his professional career.
Duke also added some talented new players to its roster in 2024, including Maliq Brown, who committed to the team on April 20. Brown averaged 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and shot 69.8% from the floor. Another addition was Khaman Maluach, ranked sixth nationally, who committed to Duke in March 2024. Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Patrick Ngongba II are also five-star recruits who signed with the team in November 2024.
With these roster changes, Duke aims to build a dominant defensive team and compete for the national championship once again.
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Players staying for 2025-26
Duke's 2024 NCAA Tournament loss to North Carolina State has left the team's future uncertain. However, there are a few players who are expected to stay for the 2025-26 season. Here are some predictions:
Caleb Foster is one of the likeliest players to stay at Duke for the 2025-26 season. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from North Carolina showed great promise in his first year, despite missing the last month due to a stress fracture in his ankle. Before his injury, he was competing for starting spots and averaged over 20 minutes per game. He shot an impressive 40% from the 3-point line and is still considered one of the top 50 prospects in college basketball. Another year of development and a leading role could see him become an even stronger contender for the NBA draft in 2025.
Cooper Flagg, the nation's top-ranked prospect, is another probable returnee. Flagg has been praised as a generational talent and is expected to be a key player for Duke in the future.
Khaman Maluach, the 6-foot-2-inch center, is also expected to stay. Despite a disappointing end to his freshman season, he showed enough potential as a freshman, particularly as an offensive presence and in pick-and-roll scenarios. He averaged 1.3 blocks per game and is likely to be given another chance to develop.
Isaiah Evans, a fearless shooter, is predicted to stay and is an early contender for the 2025-26 ACC Player of the Year. He made an impact off the bench, shooting 41.6% from 3-point range and averaging 4.5 minutes per game during March Madness.
Patrick Ngongba II, a 6-foot-11-inch center, is also likely to return after a strong finish to the season. He averaged 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 15.7 minutes per game through the Sweet 16. His impressive performances in the ACC title game and Elite Eight showcase his potential.
Darren Harris, a 4-star recruit, may also remain at Duke. His freshman season was overshadowed by the arrival of several highly-rated prospects, but he could still be an important part of the team's future plans.
While there are no guarantees, these players are expected to form the core of the Duke team for the 2025-26 season. With a talented recruiting class joining them, the future certainly looks bright for the Blue Devils.
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Frequently asked questions
Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain were expected draft departures for Duke, but seven other players — including two-time captain Jeremy Roach — have also entered the transfer portal.
Mitchell, a two-year starter as a rangy defender and consistent offensive threat, committed to Missouri via a social media post on April 19. Maliq Brown, who committed to Duke on April 20, will also be a notable departure.
Sean Stewart, a freshman who played about eight minutes per game, could join the starting lineup next season. Caleb Foster, who played well in a complementary role as a freshman, is also likely to appear on the NBA draft radar in 2025.
