2025 Men's Basketball Recruiting

So a big swing factor here is whether those 1-2 transfers are more like Sion James or Cameron Sheffield?

Go a little further in that video -- to about the 15:30 mark, and Coach Scheyer talks about that. "We brought in 3 guys, and then a 4th in Cameron Sheffield, who's going to play a different role for us."

This podcast was recorded last June -- Sheffield committed to Duke in mid-May -- so it seems like Coach Scheyer was up front with how he saw Sheffield fitting on this team.
 
Maliq, Sion, and Mason brought 10 years of experience with them + 6 Fr. with 0 years. Those listed, who may be somewhat exclusive of each other, could bring 11 years of experience, +4 (maybe a 5th but who would probably eject one of the returning players) Fr. with 0 years. I'm not saying it's a perfect comparison, but i think there's more than enough there for it to be made.
As kshep said further up the thread, could that group win a championship, does the Duke staff think it could? I guess part of that comes down to how well this year's team plays from here on out. And if this year's team plays (and wins!!!) the last game of the year, that experience would surpass what this year's Tres Tios brought with them.
All years aren't created equal. Maliq, Mason, and Sion added around 7500 minutes of D1 experience to the 2600 minutes from Tyrese and Caleb. Returning minutes next season will probably be in the 6000-7000 range in a best case scenario. That seems like a significant drop to me.

I would be surprised if Jon went portalling just for experience. If everyone expected to return actually does, I'm not sure he does go portalling.
 
All years aren't created equal. Maliq, Mason, and Sion added around 7500 minutes of D1 experience to the 2600 minutes from Tyrese and Caleb. Returning minutes next season will probably be in the 6000-7000 range in a best case scenario. That seems like a significant drop to me.

I would be surprised if Jon went portalling just for experience. If everyone expected to return actually does, I'm not sure he does go portalling.
I feel certain he goes to the portal as the blend of experience has worked well. Just as happened with Jeremey apparently, Jon will tell a couple players their role will be lessened as he recruits experience/players that are better fits. It’s the way this level of pro basketball works now with no salary caps and NIL $$ to be distributed to most players.
 
In March/April 2023, Duke did not bring in any late recruits or high-end transfers, and pretty much everyone who wasn't OAD stayed.

In March/April 2024, Duke sought and received commitments from Maluach, James, Gillis, and Brown. There is evidence that several if not all of Roach, Mitchell, Stewart, Power, and Schutt wanted to stay at Duke but did the math once Duke brought in four additional newcomers and decided to leave. If we hadn't brought in those four guys (M, J, G, B), would three or four of the second group (R, M, S, P, S) have stayed? Obviously we can't know for sure, but my guess is yes.

I think this year is similar. If Coach brings in Ament plus two or three high impact transfers, then we can probably expect at least that many of our could-stay-could-go guys to leave. If he eschews transfers then even if we get Ament, we can probably expect most of the maybe guys to stay. It's possible there was some chicken-or-egg element to 2023 and/or 2024, but honestly I think it's as simple as you bring guys in, other guys leave.
Great post Kedsy. My thinking on Isaiah staying. If Jon tells him he will have to compete with Foster, Harris, Kahmenia (sp?) and maybe Ament for playing time at the 2 or 3 position, I think he will bet on himself. I believe he loves it at Duke, and he knows he will be playing on the biggest stage in college basketball. I left off Proctor because I think if he returns, he will play point-guard. But even if he does play the 2-guard I think there is enough minutes for Evans at the 3 and to spell Proctor. Correct me if I'm wrong, is Ament the highest recruit other than the tall Boozer and his recruiting rank about the same as Evans last season?

GoDuke!
 
Great post Kedsy. My thinking on Isaiah staying. If Jon tells him he will have to compete with Foster, Harris, Kahmenia (sp?) and maybe Ament for playing time at the 2 or 3 position, I think he will bet on himself. I believe he loves it at Duke, and he knows he will be playing on the biggest stage in college basketball. I left off Proctor because I think if he returns, he will play point-guard. But even if he does play the 2-guard I think there is enough minutes for Evans at the 3 and to spell Proctor. Correct me if I'm wrong, is Ament the highest recruit other than the tall Boozer and his recruiting rank about the same as Evans last season?

GoDuke!
He’s ranked higher than Evans
 
It is all about roster construction. Jon nailed it this year. Obviously next year is different, no Cooper. But Cameron Boozer is poised to be just as much a cornerstone piece to roster construction. On offense it will be about getting Cameron as many touches as possible and playing off of those for easy looks. Cameron is no defensive savant but should be able to hold his own on that end. I think Cayden Boozer gets the go as PG. He obviously understands playing with Cameron on another level and is a heady, steady player. Where it goes from there will be interesting. Both of those guys are solid, high IQ winners. I think surrounding them with shooters and defense will be key. Team speed could be a concern and something that Jon might want to try and add via another guard. I'm not sure that exists on the current roster or recruits.
 
Thank you. Is Ament considered a 2, 3 or 4? I wouldn't think he would be a 4 with his slight build. Weight and strength mean a lot when it comes to defense in college basketball. Sion and Mason have spoiled me.

GoDuke!
Ament is a wing, for sure. Likely a 3 in Duke's system. Not sure he has the build to bang with older, more physical ACC fours (plus, I think we all expect Ngongba, Boozer, and Brown to dominate the minutes at the 4/5 next season). His handle, shotmaking, and passing abilities are the kind of skills you generally see in guys 4 or 5 inches shorter than he is.

If you want a sense of his game, check out this video. It is not your typical "highlight" video with nothing but made shots. This is a compilation of all the plays he was involved in during one game at the prestigious Hoophall Classic a week or two ago. There are some exciting moments on display but also some warts. The shot selection is really troublesome at times with low-percentage stuff that does not go in. But you can see a ton of potential on display and you can certainly see how his game will translate to the next level. The passing is really advanced and his release is very high, making it tough to disrupt his shots.

Anyway, have a look...
 
All years aren't created equal. Maliq, Mason, and Sion added around 7500 minutes of D1 experience to the 2600 minutes from Tyrese and Caleb. Returning minutes next season will probably be in the 6000-7000 range in a best case scenario. That seems like a significant drop to me.

I would be surprised if Jon went portalling just for experience. If everyone expected to return actually does, I'm not sure he does go portalling.
Just to clarify -- will a player like Sion James who had already played 4 years still be eligible to transfer elsewhere and play another season? Or have we seen the end of those whose careers were affected by grants related to Covid?
 
Just to clarify -- will a player like Sion James who had already played 4 years still be eligible to transfer elsewhere and play another season? Or have we seen the end of those whose careers were affected by grants related to Covid?
The 5th year of Covid eligibility to done. There has been talk of granting an extra year to anyone who completes graduation but it has only been talk until now and is not a current rule.

As a result all the current 4th and 5th year players will not be eligible to play next season, prompting an unprecedented exodus of talent from D1 sports. Typically, we lose approx. 25% of players from one year to the next. Over the past few years with the Covid year, we have been losing 20% each season. Well, after this season we will lose 40% of players. The impact on team depth cannot be overstated, IMO. The need for freshmen and JUCO/DII transfers who can plan will be huge. I am a bit surprised there has not been more written about this as an issue. I suspect smaller programs may really be affected by this problem.
 
Ament is a wing, for sure. Likely a 3 in Duke's system. Not sure he has the build to bang with older, more physical ACC fours (plus, I think we all expect Ngongba, Boozer, and Brown to dominate the minutes at the 4/5 next season). His handle, shotmaking, and passing abilities are the kind of skills you generally see in guys 4 or 5 inches shorter than he is.

If you want a sense of his game, check out this video. It is not your typical "highlight" video with nothing but made shots. This is a compilation of all the plays he was involved in during one game at the prestigious Hoophall Classic a week or two ago. There are some exciting moments on display but also some warts. The shot selection is really troublesome at times with low-percentage stuff that does not go in. But you can see a ton of potential on display and you can certainly see how his game will translate to the next level. The passing is really advanced and his release is very high, making it tough to disrupt his shots.

Anyway, have a look...
Thank you for the video. As you say there are some warts. I noticed he did not finish with his left hand on 3 or so drives to the basket and missed the shot and his shot selection was like you say troublesome. I have to say I was not impressed. However it was against top competition, but the competition will be even tougher in college. He looks like a multi-year player.

GoDuke!
 
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