In recent years, Duke’s basketball program has seen a steady influx of Ivy League transfers. However, not every arrival has been an immediate game-changer; some have joined as scholarship practice players primarily focused on furthering their education and earning a graduate degree in Durham.
It appears Duke’s recruiting team is looking to expand its Ivy League connections with a high-impact addition. On Tuesday, Adam Zagoria of The New York Times reported that Duke has joined a shortlist of teams showing significant interest in Princeton transfer guard Xaivian Lee. Earlier, North Carolina, Florida, and St. John’s were in the mix for Lee, with Duke, BYU, and Stanford later emerging as contenders.
At 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds, junior Lee, a two-time All-Ivy League selection, was a full-time starter for the 2024-25 Tigers. He averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while hitting 36.6 percent of his three-point attempts.
Lee brings a veteran presence and a versatile skill set—qualities that could prove invaluable for fourth-year Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff. Last season’s transfer portal moves underscored Scheyer’s focus on adding experience and toughness, and Lee appears to meet both criteria, making him a compelling prospect for the Blue Devils.
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