Duke Men’s 2025-2026 discussion

[SkyBrickey]

Gonna miss this below average ACC wing defender.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1911117052624191997

 

[dukedoc]

Gonna miss Kon a lot. Too bad there isn't another Knueppel ready in the wings (yet). Hopefully soon enough.

 

[kmspeaks]

I'll be honest I'm out on freshmen trying to lead our team to a title even though covid is finally over

It was a 5th year senior that struggled to inbound the ball and a junior who missed the front end of a 1 and 1. Blaming this on freshmen is silly. Would you rather not have Cooper Flagg in a Duke uniform?

 

[SkyBrickey]

We've got two seniors and a junior who could potentially return next year. That's a lot of experience AND continuity. Hope Jon can pull it off.

 

[soflabluedevil]

I would, too. Generally.

Still.

I thought Maluach regressed as a rebounder as the season went on. He took to trying to tap the ball out too often (to my eye) rather than collecting it. But maybe that's recency bias because he somehow had zero rebounds in the final.

My biggest criticism relates to Evans. I get that he was streaky and took some ill-advised shots. I get that his defense, while it improved as the season went along, was not stellar. I get that he's slight (although Al Wood wasn't much heavier when he got to Carolina). But I'd find a way to get minutes for somebody who shoots (60% eFG) and scores (20 per 40) like he does and is consistently unafraid of the moment.

I hasten to add: I'm not a D1 coach and am certainly not in practice or around the guys. So your mileage may vary.

Shooters like Evans don’t come around often. He can flourish next year.

 

[Pghdukie]

Is Duke scheduled for any Holiday Tournament or a Foreign trip next season ?

 

[King of Defense]

Are you talking about the guy who shot 40% from 3 as a freshman and who Corey Alexander called "layup" in HS because he was so automatic from 3? That guy? Agree the FT shooting is bizarre and is a problem - just like it was w Tyrese this year.

Remember when John Smith moved from the 5 to a perimeter player and started draining 3s?

One of my all-time favorites.

EDIT TO ADD: 1 for 1 on 3s in his first three years. 25 of 53 as a senior.

 

[duke2x]

Is Duke scheduled for any Holiday Tournament or a Foreign trip next season ?

It's highly unlikely. Duke scheduled a neutral game v. AR on Thanksgiving night. That would block out the vast majority of holiday tournaments, and Duke hasn't played in a December/Rainbow-Classic equivalent in 30 years.

 

[gep]

Not only that, but the Diamond Head Rainbow Classic straddles Christmas Day. Duke's holiday for the players.

 

[OptimisticDevil]

It's highly unlikely. Duke scheduled a neutral game v. AR on Thanksgiving night. That would block out the vast majority of holiday tournaments, and Duke hasn't played in a December/Rainbow-Classic equivalent in 30 years.

Great information. Thank you. Your abbreviation of Arkansas reminded me of this Gary Gulman comedy gem.

 

[goFurman]

Don't forget all teams are a year younger with 5th year eligibility gone. This will matter. Possible returnees + freshmen.

Guards/Wings:
Proctor, Foster, Evans, Harris, Cayden Boozer, Henderson

Forwards:
Cam Boozer, Khamenia

Centers:
Ngongba, Brown

Jon's biggest offseason decision will be what he plans for PG. Foster, Boozer, and a portal transfer are all options. TBD.

So help me here

Current guards 1/2. Boozer PG. C Foster. D Harris. (Proctor gone).

Wings. Isiaih Evans. Khamenia? Is he a wing?

PF. Boozer

C. Ngongba. M Brown

Who am I missing or put in wrong place?

Seems a thin roster to me. We need a STRONG DEFENSIVE GUARD without Sion and Proctor and KK. Is Evans our only wing?
Also both our centers have had injury issues. What do I have wrong ?

 

[AGDukesky]

So help me here

Current guards 1/2. Boozer PG. C Foster. D Harris. (Proctor gone).

Wings. Isiaih Evans. Khamenia? Is he a wing?

PF. Boozer

C. Ngongba. M Brown

Who am I missing or put in wrong place?

Seems a thin roster to me. We need a STRONG DEFENSIVE GUARD without Sion and Proctor and KK. Is Evans our only wing?
Also both our centers have had injury issues. What do I have wrong ?

The only thing you have wrong is that you think you have something wrong. Duke has 5 returning players who should play non-garbage time and three recruits as of now.

 

[Pewterpirate]

You’re not missing anyone as of today. We need to get a wing and guard. Coward would be a huge get. It sounds like it’s between us and Alabama right now. I think Khamenia can play the 3/4. Coward looks like a 3, but can possibly play the Tyrese 3/D roll at the 2. Not sure about his ball handling though.

 

[Pewterpirate]

Also if we land Wilkins from Brewster Academy, he would slot into the 4, and possibly 3. Looks to have a pretty smooth looking outside shot at 6’8.

 

[SkyBrickey]

Keep all our guys. Land guard/wing Coward, reclass PF Wilkins and a practice big and that's a complete roster. Some questions but probably not more than any other team in the country.

 

[CDu]

So help me here

Current guards 1/2. Boozer PG. C Foster. D Harris. (Proctor gone).

Wings. Isiaih Evans. Khamenia? Is he a wing?

PF. Boozer

C. Ngongba. M Brown

Who am I missing or put in wrong place?

Seems a thin roster to me. We need a STRONG DEFENSIVE GUARD without Sion and Proctor and KK. Is Evans our only wing?
Also both our centers have had injury issues. What do I have wrong ?

Harris is a wing, not a guard. Khamenia is a combo forward, sort of a 4/3.

There is also Sheffield, but he is in that gray area between the rotation guys and the walk-ons. So probably fine to leave him out as he won’t be playing in competitive games.

But other than that, it is pretty spot on.

Most likely though we will add 1-2 more rotation players, which may bump some of the aforementioned guys to the fringe of the rotation. And maybe another guy like Sheffield who can help out in practice but not in competitive games.

 

[goFurman]

So help me here

Current guards 1/2. Boozer PG. C Foster.

Wings. Isiaih Evans. Khamenia. Harris

PF. Boozer. Khamenia

C. Ngongba. M Brown

edits based on reply from those above.

We need a STRONG DEFENSIVE GUARD without Sion and Proctor and KK.
Also both our centers have had injury issues. What do I have wrong ?

 

[mr. synellinden]

Harris is a wing, not a guard. Khamenia is a combo forward, sort of a 4/3.

There is also Sheffield, but he is in that gray area between the rotation guys and the walk-ons. So probably fine to leave him out as he won’t be playing in competitive games.

But other than that, it is pretty spot on.

Most likely though we will add 1-2 more rotation players, which may bump some of the aforementioned guys to the fringe of the rotation. And maybe another guy like Sheffield who can help out in practice but not in competitive games.

I wanted to get a better sense of Khamenia's game and watched some highlight videos. This is pretty recent and the best one I could find.

He does look like he could use some more muscle, but there is a lot of impressive stuff in here. It seems like he handled the ball a lot and they ran a lot of pick and roll. I particularly like his no-look pass at the 2:15 mark. Watching this gave me some Kon vibes. They have different builds and Khamenia's form on his shot doesn't look as polished as Knueppel's, but I could see him making an impact next year. It would be hard to match Kneuppel but if he can play defense at a similar level (big "If"), he will get a good amount of playing time.

 

[weezie]

I'm ready to fall in love with Cam Boozer's large game and personality. He's helping to lift me out of these past two cranky weeks. We've got ourselves a Grinder.

 

[SkyBrickey]

The off hand (left) passing in these highlights is super impressive. That's a rare skill at this age. I like his shot - looks very repeatable.

I'm kind of hung up on the Kyle Singler comparison. Very similar size and skills. Maybe Kyle was a bit more physical and vertical at this age. Nik is a better ballhandler, playmaker?