Jon Scheyer Discusses Rebuilding Duke Basketball After Final Four Run
Duke men’s basketball head coach Jon Scheyer held his first press conference of the summer on July 8, reflecting on last season’s Final Four journey and the heartbreak that came with it, while also turning the page toward the upcoming 2025-26 campaign — one that will feature a dramatically different roster.
In a rare scenario for any program, Duke lost its entire starting five from last season’s Final Four squad. Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Tyrese Proctor, Sion James, and Kon Knueppel were all selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, leaving Scheyer with the challenge of reloading his lineup with fresh talent and returning contributors.
Scheyer addressed the turnover and how quickly he and his staff moved to reshape the team.
“We knew we might have five guys drafted… and we also knew that’s a lot of firepower to replace,” Scheyer said. “The best way to respond, in my opinion, was to bring back Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans. Pat [Ngongba], Darren [Harris], and Maliq [Brown] returning was huge. Then adding Nik [Khamenia], Cayden [Boozer], and Cam [Boozer] really gave us a strong eight-man core.”
While Scheyer emphasized that success will rely on more than just those eight, the mix of experience and elite freshman talent is why Duke isn’t expected to fall off despite losing its entire starting lineup. Replacing a group that powered the Blue Devils to the Final Four is no easy task, but the program appears well-positioned to stay among the nation’s elite.
Foster, in particular, is a player to watch. After a sophomore season that fell short of expectations — he started the year in the lineup but was eventually replaced by Sion James — the junior guard is looking for a breakout year. Alongside Foster, returning wings Isaiah Evans and Darren Harris are also expected to play much larger roles.
Scheyer also brings in the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, headlined by the Boozer twins and Nik Khamenia. Late additions Dame Sarr and Sebastian Wilkins further bolster the group, giving Duke enviable depth and talent.
Khamenia enters the season with momentum after helping Team USA win gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup, and many view Cam Boozer as the top freshman in the country. This freshman class brings elite length, athleticism, and shooting — but their rapid development will be crucial if Duke hopes to return to the Final Four and contend for a national title in 2025-26.
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