Duke basketball is basically a revolving door of talent. You know the drill. Five-star freshmen walk in, highlight reels happen, and then they're off to the NBA before you’ve even learned their favorite cereal. But honestly, the Duke men's basketball roster for the 2025-26 season has a weirdly specific energy to it.
It isn't just about the "one-and-done" factory anymore. Jon Scheyer has managed to keep a core of returning players—guys who actually have "Duke" on their resume for more than nine months—and mixed them with a recruiting class that feels like a family reunion. Literally.
The Twin Factor: Cameron and Cayden Boozer
Let’s be real. If you follow recruiting at all, you knew this was coming. The Boozer twins.
Cameron Boozer is the big prize. He’s 6'9", 250 pounds, and plays with a level of polish that makes you forget he’s a teenager. He isn't just "Carlos Boozer’s son." He’s a projected top-three NBA pick who can score from the perimeter or just bully people in the paint. Most people expect him to lead the team in scoring and rebounding from day one. He’s that good.
Then you've got Cayden Boozer. He’s the point guard. While Cameron gets the "Kevin Love with a vertical" comparisons, Cayden is the engine. He’s a 6'4" floor general who has spent his entire life throwing entry passes to his brother. That kind of chemistry? You can't coach that. It gives Duke a backcourt-frontcourt connection that most college teams have to spend three years developing.
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Why the Returners Matter More Than You Think
Everyone focuses on the shiny new freshmen, but the real story is Caleb Foster.
Foster is a junior now. That feels like a lifetime in Durham. Last year was a bit of a rollercoaster for him—he started, then he didn't, then he dealt with some injuries—but he’s the veteran presence this team desperately needs. He’s a 6'5" guard who can shoot the lights out when he’s confident. If Duke wants to win a title, they need Foster to be the "adult in the room."
Then there’s Isaiah Evans.
People compare him to Brandon Ingram because he’s 6'6" and built like a blade of grass, but the kid can flat-out hoop. He stayed. That’s the big thing. In the era of the transfer portal, seeing a former five-star recruit stick around for his sophomore year to fight for a starting spot is refreshing. He’s going to be a nightmare on the wing if his shot is falling.
The International Wildcard: Dame Sarr
If you haven't heard of Dame Sarr, you're not alone, but you'll know him by December.
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Sarr came over from Italy after playing for FC Barcelona. He’s a 6'8" wing with a massive wingspan and a smooth stroke. He’s sort of the "X-factor" for this roster. If he adjusts to the physicality of the ACC quickly, Duke’s depth becomes terrifying.
A Quick Look at the Rotation
- The Big Men: Patrick Ngongba II is back for his sophomore year. He’s a true 6'11" center who can actually protect the rim. Pairing him with Cameron Boozer gives Duke a frontcourt that is basically an NBA-sized wall.
- The Defensive Specialist: Maliq Brown. He’s a senior now. He doesn't need to score 20 points to be the most important player on the floor. He just shuts people down.
- The Freshmen Depth: Nikolas Khamenia and Sebastian Wilkins. Khamenia is a "glue guy" type—6'8", smart, passes well. Wilkins is an athletic freak who reclassified to get to Durham early.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
There's this idea that Duke is going to be "young and soft" because of the freshmen. I don't see it.
Look at the weight of these guys. Cameron Boozer is a tank. Ngongba is a mountain. This isn't a team of skinny kids trying to find their way. This is a physically mature roster.
The biggest challenge for Scheyer isn't talent. It’s minutes. How do you keep Caleb Foster, the Boozer twins, Isaiah Evans, and Dame Sarr all happy? You've only got one ball. But honestly, that’s a "champagne problem" for a coach.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
| Player | Year | Position | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Foster | Junior | Guard | 6'5" |
| Cameron Boozer | Freshman | Forward | 6'9" |
| Cayden Boozer | Freshman | Guard | 6'4" |
| Isaiah Evans | Sophomore | Forward | 6'6" |
| Patrick Ngongba II | Sophomore | Center | 6'11" |
| Maliq Brown | Senior | Forward | 6'9" |
| Dame Sarr | Freshman | Guard/Forward | 6'8" |
The "Portal" Philosophy
Duke didn't go crazy in the transfer portal this year. They didn't have to.
They landed Cameron Sheffield and Ifeanyi Ufochukwu for depth, but the core is homegrown. That's a shift. For a few years, it felt like Duke was trying to copy the "Kentucky model" or the "Pre-NIL model," but this 2025-26 Duke men's basketball roster feels like a return to the identity of the late 90s. High-end talent that actually sticks around for a second or third act.
Honestly, the chemistry between the Boozer twins and the returning sophomores like Ngongba and Evans is what’s going to determine if this team hangs a banner.
Actionable Insights for the Season
If you're betting on or just following the Blue Devils this year, watch the first ten minutes of the big non-conference games.
- Watch the Point Guard Battle: Does Cayden Boozer take the keys immediately, or does Caleb Foster stay as the primary initiator?
- Monitor the Wing Rotation: If Isaiah Evans or Dame Sarr starts hot, it opens up the lane for Cameron Boozer to dominate.
- Frontcourt Strength: Check if Ngongba and Boozer can play together without clogging the paint. If they can, nobody is scoring at the rim against Duke.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Foster and Ngongba early on. Both have had "the bug" in the past, and their health is the linchpin for this whole experiment. If they’re 100%, Duke isn't just a tournament team. They’re the favorite.