Duke Basketball: Projected roster rotation and minutes for 2024-25 season
Center
Projected starter: Maliq Brown (20 mpg)
Bench: Khaman Maluach (15 mpg), Patrick Ngongba (5 mpg)
This is the most controversial pick for me, as it comes down to a center with a high ceiling versus a proven frontcourt big man who can play at the ACC level. For now, I went with Brown, a 6’8 forward from Syracuse who averaged 9.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg, leading them in rebounding.
Brown, who also shot 70% from the field, grabbed over two steals a game and earned All-ACC defensive honors. He mostly played at center last season and pairing him and Flagg would give them one of the more stout defensive lineups in the country next season. Brown doesn’t need the ball to be effective and his experience would be a boost to Flagg and the lineup overall.
Still, it may be hard to keep Maluach off the court. He’s a 7’1 center with tremendous potential on both ends. He can spread the floor, is a smooth athlete, and is a projected lottery pick in the next draft. If he’s ready to contribute at a high level, Duke may be forced to start both 5-star freshmen and have the veterans come off the bench in specific situations.
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Don’t forget about Ngongba, another top-20 incoming overall prospect, and 6’11 true center. He projects to be a sound rim protector but on paper, doesn’t have the same kind of all-around offensive game as Maluach. Minutes might be hard to come by if Brown plays mostly at the five-spot but this just shows how much raw talent the Blue Devils will have to work with for next season.