Projected Duke Starting Lineup Following John Blackwell Commitment

Duke basketball has received a pair of significant offseason wins. Patrick Ngongba has announced he is returning for his junior season, and John Blackwell has committed as a transfer from Wisconsin, giving Jon Scheyer two major pieces to build around heading into next year.

The roster will still look considerably different from last season’s. Cameron Boozer is projected to be a top-three pick in the NBA Draft, and Isaiah Evans is also expected to declare. Darren Harris and Nikolas Khamenia have both entered the transfer portal and landed elsewhere. The departures are significant, but the additions of Blackwell and the incoming 2026 recruiting class give Scheyer a credible foundation to reload around.

Oct 9, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke head coach John Scheyer during ACC Media Days at The Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Here is what the Duke starting lineup could look like next season.

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Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) dribbles the ball against St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Foster dealt with injuries down the stretch of this past season. After returning to post 11 points off the bench in the Sweet Sixteen against St. John’s, he struggled in the Elite Eight loss to UConn, finishing with zero points and three turnovers. It was a difficult ending for a player who had given the program a great deal.

All signs point to Foster returning for his senior season, and the motivation to finish his Duke career on a stronger note figures to be significant. He has developed into a reliable shooter and defender and has grown considerably as a floor general throughout his time in Durham. With another full offseason of health and preparation, Foster has the tools to be one of the…

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Publish date : 2026-04-22 21:37:00

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