Duke Basketball Handed Preseason Superlative as Incoming Class Excites

The Duke basketball program had a vastly successful offseason and will enter the 2026-27 college basketball season as arguably the top team in the land.

Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff built a rotation ready to win right away, highlighted by an elite mix of young talent, returning contributors, and stars out of the transfer portal.

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The Blue Devils are returning Patrick Ngongba, Dame Sarr, and Caleb Foster, three starters from last season’s rotation. The No. 1 overall 2026 high school recruiting class is also making its way to Durham, headlined by 5-star prospects Cameron Williams, Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Bryson Howard, and Deron Rippey Jr.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) makes a layup against the UConn Huskies in the second half during an Elite Eight 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

However, it’s the work Scheyer and Co. did in the transfer portal that sets the rotation apart. The key additions of John Blackwell (Wisconsin) and Drew Scharnowski (Belmont) don’t just bring in intriguing talents, but both fill roles the Blue Devils needed on the roster heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

As a result, Duke has been handed a hefty superlative heading into the year.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts 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: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Duke Basketball Given Big-Time Superlative

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf released their program superlatives for the transfer portal this offseason, and Borzello deemed the Blue Devils the “national title contender that improved its chances the most.”

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“As good as the Blue Devils were last season, they sometimes lacked a guard who could get his own shot on a consistent…

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Publish date : 2026-06-10 15:00:00

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