Duke Loses a Locker Room Leader as Stanley Borden Enters Transfer Portal
As the transfer portal deadline rapidly approaches, the Duke Blue Devils are navigating a wave of roster movement following their Final Four run in the 2024-25 season. With decisions coming fast and the portal set to close Tuesday, programs across the country are locking in their futures — and Duke is no exception.
The Blue Devils have already seen their fair share of departures, whether to the NBA Draft or through the transfer portal. Still, head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff remain confident in the team they’re building for 2025-26 — one they believe is capable of staying firmly in the national title conversation.
But not all losses are measured by points or minutes. The latest name to exit Durham — big man Stanley Borden — is felt more for who he was behind the scenes than what showed up on the stat sheet.
Known around the program as a consummate teammate and locker room leader, Borden was the definition of a “glue guy.” His presence helped bind together a young but elite roster, and his impact on Duke’s run to the Final Four went well beyond the box score.
Borden took to social media to announce his decision to enter the portal, sharing a heartfelt message of gratitude toward his coaches, teammates, and the Duke fanbase. One of the first to respond was fellow Blue Devil Khaman Maluach, who kept it short and sincere: “Good luck, Brodie.”
It’s a quiet end to a meaningful chapter for Borden — and a reminder that in college basketball, leadership often matters just as much as talent.
Tyrese Proctor wrapped up his three-year stint with the Duke Blue Devils by helping guide the program to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. The Australian guard averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in his junior season, providing steady production and veteran leadership.
Freshman standout Kon Knueppel also made a strong impression during the 2024-25 campaign. One of the most highly regarded recruits in the country coming out of high school, Knueppel lived up to the hype, averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in his debut season.
While Knueppel is widely projected as a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Proctor has been graded as a second-round prospect in Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft. Regardless of where they land, both players leave Duke with meaningful contributions and NBA futures ahead.
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