5. Duke Blue Devils
Likely departures
- Cameron Boozer (22.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.1 apg)
- Patrick Ngongba (10.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg)
- Maliq Brown (4.9 ppg and 5.2 rpg)
Likely returnees
- Cayden Boozer (7.7 ppg and 3.0 apg)
- Dame Sarr (6.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg)
- Nikolas Khamenia (5.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg)
Decisions to watch
- Isaiah Evans (15 ppg and 3.2 rpg)
It was another missed opportunity for Coach Jon Scheyer and Duke, failing to win a national championship for the second year in a row, despite having the AP National Player of the Year. But while losing Cameron Boozer is a massive loss, the Blue Bevils once again have the No. 1 incoming recruiting class for 2026.
Cameron Williams is a 6’11 forward out of Phoenix, ranking No. 3 overall per 247sportsComposite. Two other five-star prospects joining Duke are 6’4 shooting guard Bryson Howard, as well as Deron Rippey Jr., a top-tier incoming ball-handler who could easily start.Â
The backcourt should take a major step next year, with Cayden Boozer coming off a strong March campaign. If Evans, one of the best pure shooters in the country, is back, then Duke can make a strong case for being No. 1 to start out next year.