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The Duke basketball program lived up to its preseason billing in its first live action of the 2026-27 campaign, cruising past Belmont 102-62 in a scrimmage at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday night. The Blue Devils' touted depth, talent, and size—topics of much offseason discussion—were on full display for the first time.
Head coach Jon Scheyer may have his most championship-caliber squad since taking the reins, and even though it was just an exhibition, Duke looks like a genuine national title threat.
While sophomore Dame Sarr and freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje drew most of the attention with their standout performances, several other Blue Devils made their mark in quieter roles. Here's a closer look at three under-the-radar contributors.
Deron Rippey Jr.
Five-star freshman point guard Deron Rippey Jr. finds himself in an unusual position. Regarded as one of the top guard prospects in the 2026 class, he'll come off the bench as a freshman. Learning behind Duke's veteran guards will aid his long-term growth, but he'll still be a key part of the rotation this season.
In 22 minutes, Rippey tallied 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. His defensive tenacity was immediately apparent. Despite any height disadvantages, he compensates with physical play on the perimeter, and his elite athleticism stands out. Rippey's impact will primarily be felt on defense, but he's already shown the ability to run the offense and serve as a true floor general. The highly touted recruit will provide a significant energy boost off the bench, and his defensive presence will be noticeable.
Cayden Boozer
Sophomore Cayden Boozer started in place of the injured Caleb Foster against Belmont. While Foster is still expected to be Duke's starting point guard, Boozer demonstrated he can effectively organize the first unit. The Miami native posted 12 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals on 2-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc in 22 minutes.
Three-point shooting could be Boozer's biggest area of improvement this season; his 30.3% mark on 1.7 attempts per game as a freshman doesn't reflect his true potential from deep. Boozer would likely start for most high-major programs, and even if he doesn't for Duke, he'll be one of the nation's top reserve guards. If his shooting progresses, he has the tools—basketball IQ, passing vision, and defensive prowess—to become a high-level college point guard.
Maxime Meyer
Four-star Canadian seven-footer Maxime Meyer is more of a developmental project. He played only 13 minutes against Belmont, but his defensive instincts and abilities were impressive. Meyer moved well, showed the ability to switch on screens with active hands, and even displayed some ball-handling skills on offense.
He may not see extensive minutes as a freshman, but in time, he could evolve into a highly impactful two-way big man for the Blue Devils. The freshman finished with four points, four rebounds, and a steal.
Hugh Straine is an accomplished writer and proud Bucknell University alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. He has served as editor of The Bucknellian, worked as an analyst for ESPN+ and Hulu, and currently reports on college sports as a general reporter for On SI. Follow HughStraine.