2 Duke Breakout Candidates To Watch Next Season

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff have geared up for the 2026-27 campaign in a big way, and the Blue Devils now look like potentially the team to beat heading into the season.

Scheyer is entering next season with what is probably the deepest team he has coached in his four years at the helm for the Blue Devils. Duke is returning four of its top six scorers from a season ago in Patrick Ngongba, Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer, and Dame Sarr, as well as redshirt freshman Sebastian Wilkins.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) dribbles the ball against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The blue blood program is also bringing in two high-profile transfers in former Belmont forward Drew Scharnowski and former star Wisconsin guard John Blackwell. All of that is on top of the No. 2 overall 2026 recruiting class coming into Durham as well.

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With so many guys who can contribute next season, it will be difficult for any Blue Devils to truly break out in a big way. However, here are two guys we think have a path to do it in 2026-27.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) reacts in the second 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

Dame Sarr

Dame Sarr entered his rookie year with Duke as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Italian came in as a 6’8″ wing with elite defensive skills and the ability to shoot. Sarr shot over 44% from three during his time playing professionally with FC Barcelona.

Throughout his freshman year at Duke, Sarr was a regular starter and arguably the team’s best defender, but his shooting numbers weren’t there. On the year, he averaged 6.4…

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Publish date : 2026-04-29 15:00:00

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