The Duke basketball team will boast plenty of talent next season, but questions remain about how coach Jon Scheyer will optimize his lineup to feature the best players simultaneously.
Leading the Blue Devils is standout freshman Cameron Boozer, with key returnees Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Pat Ngongba, and Maliq Brown also expected to play pivotal roles in the team’s success.
Over the past month, fans got a glimpse of another promising Duke freshman, 5-star recruit Nik Khamenia, who showcased his skills at the FIBA U19 World Cup with Team USA.
Khamenia shone in training camp, particularly with his playmaking ability.
“Nikolas Khamenia will be an excellent teammate for the Blue Devils,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla after observing a Team USA practice.
“He’s an exceptional passer for a 6-8 player.”
Nik Khamenia’s playing time varied during the FIBA U19 World Cup, where he averaged 15.2 minutes per game, contributing 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 turnovers as Team USA secured the gold medal.
The freshman could see time at point guard next season, much like Sion James and Kon Knueppel, who have successfully directed Duke’s offense this year.
Reducing turnovers will be crucial for Khamenia as he adapts to the position. He showed promise with five assists in the final group stage game against Cameroon and four in the Round of 16 against Jordan.
In the last four games, he significantly improved, committing only two turnovers after eight in the first three games.
While Caleb Foster is expected to start at point guard for Duke, struggles similar to those in his sophomore season could open the door for freshmen Cayden Boozer and Nik Khamenia to step into the role.
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