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ACC Basketball: 2024 offseason grades for all 18 programs

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 27, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Steve Forbes watches in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Steve Forbes watches in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
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Duke Blue Devils - Grade: B+

A good portion of judging Duke’s offseason is what the final edit of its incoming recruiting class looks like. And once again, they have the No. 1 overall class, featuring at least four 5-star prospects. What makes this group different is Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect who is viewed as a potential “generational” future pro.

There are also veterans on the roster as well, starting with returning guards, Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster. Proctor didn’t have the breakout sophomore campaign as expected but he’s the rare junior starter for the Blue Devils. 

Also, the team added a trio of veterans to provide needed experience to the roster. Sion James is a talented combo guard from Tulane who shot over 40% from three-point range. Mason Gillis was the Big Ten 6th Man of the Year at Purdue, while Maliq Brown comes over from Syracuse as an all-defensive forward. 

What prevents Duke from getting an “A” grade is how much talent they lost to the portal. Over eight players transferred out, including a pair of former 5-star prospects (TJ Power and Sean Stewart), as well as starting point guard Jeremy Roach, who is now at Baylor. Without knowing how good James will be, that’s a roster departure that’s going to hurt them.

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