10 thoughts on Duke's 10 rotation players: How will Blue Devils replace Cooper Flagg?

DURHAM, N.C.

Basketball talk, in September? With a program like Duke, you betcha.

Thats because five months after the Blue Devils latest Final Four berth and after every starter, including Cooper Flagg, was drafted to the NBA Jon Scheyer has reloaded with another ACC and national championship contender.

(The perks of welcoming the nations No.

1 recruiting class, again, for the third time in four offseasons.) Advertisement After attending one of Dukes summer practices and having conversations with program sources, the Blue Devils seem to have the talent to win it all this season.

But lets take a deeper look at why, with thoughts on all 10 of the teams rotation players.

(Princeton transfer Jack Scott, Rice transfer Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, and returner Cam Sheffield will serve as practice players.) Isaiah Evans 2024-25: Freshman 6.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg In early March, Id say there was no way Duke would return both Evans and Caleb Foster or, for a brief moment, either one.

But credit to Scheyer for having the necessary tough conversations and making the appropriate financial commitments to secure what should be his starting backcourt.

Of the two, Evans a former five-star recruit has the higher ceiling.

Had the 6-foot-6 guard played enough minutes as a freshman to qualify for NCAA stats thresholds, his 41.6 percent 3-point mark wouldve ranked top-5 nationally amongst all high-major players.

Evans nailed a staggering 48.3 percent of his spot-up 3s, per Synergy, while ranking in the 99th percentile nationally as a spot-up shooter.

Even with an expected uptick in volume, Evans should be one of the surest shooters in college hoops as a sophomore.

The real question is what else can Evans do, especially on the rare nights when his shot isnt falling? Offensively, expect Evans to handle secondary ball handling duties, alongside the likes of Foster or point forward Cam Boozer.

Evans only had four multi-assist games (in 36 appearances) last season, and hes never going to be mistaken for a point guard, but any strides he makes as a creator will prevent defenses from hugging him as tightly on the perimeter.

What Im more interested in, though, is Evans defensive growth.

Defensive inconsistency is the biggest reason why Evans role fluctuated the way it did last season, and given Scheyers emphasis on defense to date all three of his teams have finished top-16 in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom he simply wont tolerate a glaring weak link.

The North Carolina native has bulked up some this summer, but better buy-in on D is necessary for Evans to cement himself as a future first-round pick and for Duke to reach its lofty ceiling.

Advertisement Caleb Foster 2024-25: Sophomore 4.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.4 apg Its no secret that Fosters confidence bottomed out last season after losing his starting role to Sion James.

He had the worst on-off differential on the team, per CBB Analytics, and until the NCAA Tournament, he was essentially a non-factor most of his sophomore campaign.

(That said, I thought Foster was one of Dukes best players in the first half against Houston especially his defensive rebounding and that he shouldve gotten more second-half run than the 1:14 he saw.) But this offseason, Dukes staff has sung Fosters praises behind the scenes.

Not only has the 6-foot-5 guard refined and toned his body, but apparently hes gotten back to more of the aggressive scoring tendencies that made him a top recruit out of high school.

Now, that doesnt mean Foster will average 20 points, nor does he have to be for the Blue Devils to be successful.

Instead, he needs to be the one thing he hasnt been through two college campaigns: consistent .

Thats in every sense: his 3-point shooting (where hes hit 37.3 percent from his career), his playmaking Foster had the third-best assist rate on the roster last season, per KenPom, behind Flagg and James and especially his defense, where hes shown flashes of greatness.

Even on a team with multiple ballhandlers, Foster will be one of Dukes primary table-setters, especially out of ball-screens.

Per Synergy, Foster was in the 86th percentile nationally in pick-and-roll handling scenarios last season, earning an excellent rating, and he wasnt far off that mark when you include passing, too.

This is an impressive read by anyone, but especially so in the Final Four, against the nations best defense, by someone whod barely been in the rotation: I believe Foster is the player who most determines Dukes ceiling this season.

We know Cam Boozer will be good.

Evans, too.

But if Foster can develop into a reliable third scorer and lead guard, then the rest of Dukes pieces fall into place so much more easily.

Patrick Ngongba II 2024-25: Freshman 3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg To be honest, I wasnt a huge fan of Ngongbas in high school.

I worried about his injury history big men with feet problems scare me along with his work ethic and his frame.

But during the ACC Tournament, after Maliq Brown went out with a shoulder injury, Ngongba forced me to do a complete about-face.

I was thoroughly impressed not just with how the big man worked his way back into shape, but also by his footwork and post moves, which were more polished than I could have imagined.

Per Synergy, albeit on a limited sample size Ngongba ranked in the 90th percentile or better nationally as a post-up scorer, cutter and roll man.

Advertisement Clearly, the former five-star recruit has the offensive goods especially another year removed from a foot injury that cost him most of his senior high school season to contribute more than he did during his de facto redshirt season.

Injury-wise, Scheyer said in July that Ngongba was in perfect health.

All of that adds up to someone who should slot nicely into Dukes starting center role.

But that doesnt mean there arent questions about Ngongba, too.

Even at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, for example, can he make the defensive difference of predecessors Dereck Lively II and Khaman Maluach? Ngonba doesnt have the standout length or mobility those two did, and Id be surprised to see him switching onto the perimeter at any point this season.

Ngongba should be fine in multiple ball-screen coverages, but Im fairly skeptical hell be the (versatile) defensive deterrent that Lively and Maluach were.

But Ive been wrong about the Virginia native before, clearly.

Maliq Brown 2024-25: Redshirt junior 2.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.5 apg Even on a team with Flagg and Maluach, Id argue Brown was Dukes most versatile defender last season.

To me, hes a walking Naismith Defensive Player of the Year candidate...

if hes healthy, that is.

Unfortunately, after myriad injuries last season including to his shoulder, which cost him most of the postseason thats not always the case.

Scheyer said in July that Brown was six to eight weeks away from being able to handle contact, and he didnt participate in any scrimmage portions during the teams final summer practice in August.

That said, were at the point now where Brown should be working his way back into full-go, 5-on-5 basketball action.

Its been a long process, but one well worth the wait given Browns defensive upside.

Im not sure if even Duke fans realize how special the 6-foot-9 Brown is defensively.

He was fifth amongst all high-major players in steal percentage last season, per CBB Analytics but with everyone ahead of him standing 6-foot-5 or shorter.

That isnt just a credit to Browns 7-foot wingspan; its an innate understanding of timing, plus arguably the best hands in the sport.

On this possession against UNC All-American guard RJ Davis, Brown doesnt technically get the steal, but he does everything to force the turnover.

People his size simply arent supposed to be able to move like this: Browns also an excellent shot-contester, and basically the ultimate Swiss Army knife for Scheyer.

Hell split time at center with Ngongba, but Browns versatility can unlock some ridiculously long lineups for Duke.

Im fascinated to see him play alongside Ngongba as a four, which would in turn push the 6-foot-9 Boozer out to the wing.

Beyond that, any offense Brown provides is gravy because his defense is that vital.

Darren Harris 2024-25: Freshman 2.0 ppg, 6.1 mpg Calling my shot here, especially after watching Harris in Dukes final summer practice: The former four-star recruit will play this season, and possibly quite a bit.

Why? Simple: Hes a knockdown shooter who, like Ngongba, is another year removed from a broken hand that cost him part of last offseason.

Also, as his film illustrates, he can do more with the ball in his hands than youd think; Harris made 10 of his 19 2s last season, compared to only five of his 22 3s.

That 3-point clip might make some fans wary of Harris shooting, but mechanically, his shot is as pure and repeatable as anyones on Dukes roster.

Also, hes the epitome of someone who realized he had to do more to earn minutes and that attitude shows up whenever he takes the floor.

Harris has no problem diving for loose balls, as he did during Dukes open practice, and has become a much more willing defender, even if he isnt as athletically gifted as some of his teammates.

Harris should start the year near the back of Dukes nine or 10-man rotation, but it wouldnt surprise me at all if he forces Scheyers hand and plays his way into a larger role.

Cameron Boozer 2024-25: Senior, Christopher Columbus (FL) High School Onto the newcomers! Starting with the crown jewel of Dukes incoming recruiting class.

Boozer, the No.

3 player in his class, will be the Blue Devils best player right out of the gate.

Thats not conditional on anything; hes that good, already.

Ive had a lot of people ask me this summer if I expect Boozer to have a Flagg-esque impact, and while I dont know that hes going to lead Duke in every major statistical category Flagg was the first freshman to do so for an NCAA Tournament team for good reason the Blue Devils will undoubtedly go where Boozer leads them.

Advertisement At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, hes built differently than Flagg, but hell similarly have his fingerprints on everything the team does.

Boozer can score inside with poise, belying his age, shoot it consistently from 3 better than Dukes staff expected him to, for what its worth handle and distribute the ball, and match up defensively with multiple positions.

Hes a future top-5 pick, at minimum.

But for as good as Boozer is, talk to Dukes staff, and theyll tell you hes been even better than they anticipated.

Some of that is the shooting, yes, but its also his playmaking.

For example, expect Boozer to operate as a passing hub out of the high post, where he can initiate big-to-big actions with Ngongba or hit cutting guards.

Thats a little different from Flagg operating as a (ball-dominant) de facto point guard, but the impact should be just as pronounced.

The one significant difference between Flagg and Boozer and something Im interested to see how Scheyer handles is their personalities.

Flaggs work ethic and competitiveness were very out in the open, to the point where they trickled down to the rest of the roster; Im not saying Boozer cant instill the same, but hes definitely more reserved.

Boozer has all the talent to be an All-American in what should be his only college season, but how he rallies older teammates around him will be just as critical as what he does on the court.

Nikolas Khamenia 2024-25: Senior, Harvard-Westlake (CA) High School If youre looking for this years version of Kon Knueppel someone relatively under-the-radar who becomes a star then Khamenia (the K is silent) is your leading candidate.

In fact, if Dukes season started today, I bet the 6-foot-8, 215-pound wing would be the Blue Devils fifth and final starter, over fellow newcomer Dame Sarr.

Khamenia won gold with the US at the U-19 FIBA World Cup this summer, which cost him some of the preseason in Durham, but Scheyer and his staff are enamored with Khamenia nonetheless.

Khamenias two calling cards as a player? Shooting and passing, with the latter being his most standout skill.

Khamenia is a true dime-dropper and might be the best passer on this roster.

Now, how much of that skillset he gets to show off in the open court versus as a halfcourt hub remains to be seen, but the California native will be one of Dukes top setup men regardless.

Admittedly, Khamenia struggled from 3 in the one practice I saw this summer, but theres good reason to believe he can at least be a dependable college marksman, in the 35 percent ballpark.

Khamenia does have some positional overlap with Boozer, but as long as the shooting is somewhat reliable, Scheyer can easily find ways for them to coexist.

Cayden Boozer 2024-25: Senior, Christopher Columbus (FL) High School In a vacuum, Cayden Boozers shot looks...

interesting, to put it kindly.

But it goes in, which is what matters most, and associate head coach Chris Carrawell can tweak the mechanics of it namely, reducing Boozers push motion as the season progresses.

As it stands now, Cayden should open the year as Fosters backup and a top reserve on the perimeter, but obviously, the potential is there to grow into something more.

Cayden is a true point guard, the only one on Dukes roster, but his feel goes beyond his unspeakable connection with his twin, Cameron.

He has arguably the best vision on the roster, and hell immediately give Scheyer someone in the second unit who can initiate offense with ease.

Plus, at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Cayden has above-average size for a college point guard, and should be able to hold his own defensively against both guards and leaner wings.

That all said, the range of outcomes for Cayden this season is probably as wide open as that of any other Duke player.

I could reasonably see him playing his way into the starting lineup at some point...

or falling back into even more of a reserve spot, depending on how the Blue Devils other perimeter players emerge.

Of everyone on Scheyers fourth team, I have the least certainty about projecting Caydens season-long role.

Advertisement Dame Sarr 2024-25: FC Barcelona (Spain) Duke moved heaven and earth to land Sarr over Kansas late in the offseason, but now it needs him to step up accordingly.

The Italian wing has been good, not great, thus far this summer, and while hes had some terrific flashes he really impressed recently against Dukes current pros, who were back on campus visiting there needs to be better consistency.

Sarr can have tunnel vision when driving to the hoop, and his 3-point shot remains a work in progress, too.

Given his athleticism and how he thrives in space, it wouldnt at all surprise me if hes a better NBA player than college one, although hell certainly still be a big piece of what Duke does this season.

At 6-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Sarr is definitely on the leaner side, but hes the clear best athlete on the team.

Were talking jump-out-the-gym athleticism.

That shows up in his defensive mobility, his drives, his rebounding, and his effort in transition, all of which will help Duke from day one.

Theres usually a learning curve for foreign-born players making the jump to college ask Tyrese Proctor or Maluach strictly in terms of rules, but theres also an adjustment in play style.

Sarrs only going to keep getting better, and like Maluach last season, might not be the best version of himself until December or even January.

But if his shot stabilizes, and he learns how not to sell out 100 percent when going to the rim, Sarr has the potential to become the two-way wing Duke realistically needs him to be.

Sebastian Wilkins 2024-25: Junior, Brewster Academy (NH) Wilkins reclassified to join Duke this summer, but in reality, he was rejoining his original high school class.

Plus, given Wilkins physical build hes a sturdy 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds there shouldnt be any concerns about him being able to handle the college level of physicality.

Whats more pressing is if Wilkins skills are polished enough to contribute to a team with national title aspirations...

and thats where he might have to adjust more.

Wilkins can seemingly provide some defensive minutes today, and could feasibly contribute as a cutter or straight-line driver, but hes probably a year away still from being well-rounded enough to fully be in Dukes rotation.

Look for him to be Dukes 10th man to begin the year, and dont be surprised if his minutes wane as the season progresses.

But the value of that like Duke had with Harris last season is still tremendous, and helps to keep the Blue Devil machine rolling.

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