It’s NBA Draft Week, and Duke Basketball is in the Spotlight
As NBA Draft week unfolds, Duke basketball fans are eager to see where the latest crop of Blue Devils land. Freshmen phenoms Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel are all projected to be selected in the lottery during Wednesday night’s first round. Meanwhile, fellow starters Tyrese Proctor and Sion James are expected to hear their names called Thursday night in the second round.
While those draft hopefuls prepare for the next stage of their careers, there’s been no shortage of news surrounding the present and future of the Duke basketball program.
Duke to Host “Brotherhood” Multi-Team Event at Cameron Indoor
The Blue Devils will welcome Niagara and Howard to Cameron Indoor Stadium for a special three-team event running November 21–23. Branded as a “Brotherhood” gathering, the event serves as a homecoming for Duke alumni Greg Paulus and Kenny Blakeney, who now serve as head coaches for Niagara and Howard, respectively.
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Duke vs. Niagara – November 21
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Niagara vs. Howard – November 22
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Duke vs. Howard – November 23
Greg Paulus (Duke ’05–’09) was a three-year starter and ACC All-Freshman selection, averaging 8.4 points and 3.6 assists on 41.5% shooting for his career.
Kenny Blakeney (Duke ’91–’95) won a national championship during the 1991–92 season and appeared in 93 games, contributing 3.2 points per game on 45.9% shooting.
Elite 2026 Prospect Austin Goosby Schedules Official Visit to Duke
Jon Scheyer continues his push for another top-ranked recruiting class. According to 247Sports’ Brandon Jenkins, Class of 2026 standout Austin Goosby will take an official visit to Duke from October 2–4. Goosby, a 6’5″ combo guard out of Melissa High School (TX), is ranked No. 35 overall, No. 6 at his position, and No. 3 in Texas.
The rising junior also has visits lined up with SMU, UCLA, BYU, Baylor, and Texas, and is expected to add Arizona State to that list. Duke has yet to secure a commitment from the 2026 class, but Scheyer is aiming to bring in the nation’s No. 1 group for a third consecutive year.
Injury Watch: Patrick Ngongba Spotted in Walking Boot
Concerns are mounting around sophomore big man Patrick Ngongba II, who was recently seen wearing a walking boot during practice, as shared in a social media post. The 6’11” center has struggled with a lingering foot injury dating back to high school, which sidelined him for most of his senior year and significant portions of his freshman season at Duke.
While the severity of this latest setback hasn’t been disclosed, it’s a troubling sign for a player expected to play a major role this year. Ngongba has shown promise as a rim protector and pick-and-roll finisher, but his offensive game remains a work in progress. The Blue Devils are hoping the injury is minor and that he’ll be back on the court soon.
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