DURHAM, N.C. — Talk about Duke’s freshmen is nothing new, and this season the theme has an even more familiar ring to it.
Headlining the 2025-26 Blue Devils’ crop of blue-chip freshmen is Cameron Boozer, who’ll entice television viewers and NBA observers to tune in.
This isn’t a repeat of a season ago. But Duke’s coaching staff envisions no shortage of must-see moments from the newest crop of Duke recruits.
The Blue Devils have become accustomed to relying on freshmen as more than role-playing contributions and often as major impacts. That was the case last year, when three of the first-year college players were lottery selections in the NBA.
While Boozer, a Duke legacy as the son of Carlos Boozer, might be the only current Duke freshman at that level, Nikolas Khamenia and Dame Sarr turning heads as well.
“I think our freshmen play a little bit older, a little bit smarter, especially because they buy into what we’re trying to do,” Duke sophomore swingman Isaiah Evans said. “I feel like we’ve got the best freshmen in the country.”
That list for the Blue Devils is bound to begin with Cameron Boozer, who’s listed at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds and moves fluidly with or without the ball. He’ll be considered a power forward, but can handle a variety of roles.
“He’s just a big-time winner,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “So again, for me, it is not about comparing anything other than I thought that he was a high-level player.”
Scheyer has been around plenty of those. As an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski, Scheyer was part of the effort to groom newcomers into becoming immediately impactful.
That trend has continued with Scheyer in charge. Last season, Cooper Flagg’s presence was enough to draw attention, but classmates Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach — fellow first-round draft picks in June — were major reasons why the Blue Devils won the Atlantic Coast Conference and advanced to the Final Four.
Scheyer might be quizzed about Cameron Boozer as often as he answered inquiries about Flagg.
“I think his toughness to overcome making mistakes is unique for a freshman,” Scheyer said of Boozer.
Cameron Boozer put together two dazzling preseason performances in exhibitions against Central Florida and Tennessee.
“I know there is even more there that we can help him with,” Scheyer said. “The great part about him, you know he’s thinking about all the things he could have done better. That is what makes him who he is.”
He might be in Durham long enough to collect a bunch of awards in one season and then move on. He isn’t in position to initiate as much of the offense as Flagg, but his numbers could swell in several areas.
Cayden Boozer, Cameron’s twin brother, also is part of Duke’s latest freshman class.
Sarr’s arrival was heralded in part because of his international experiences. He’s a native of Italy, though tabbed a five-star recruit.
With good length at 6-foot-8 and a reputation as lockdown defender, Sarr will give the Blue Devils valuable minutes.
Khamenia, who plays in the backcourt on the wing, could be destined for the starting lineup.
“We all come to Duke to get better. We know every day is not going to be easy,” Khamenia said. “Competing against these guys has only made me better. Coming in, my first day to now, I’ve improved and it’s thanks to these guys. Obviously, playing with better players helps you get better.”
Khamenia is a Californian who has demonstrated lots of energy. He’s also a bit less heralded — for now — than some incoming college players.
So expect that to show up in his demeanor.
“I’ve just got to keep attacking every day, not get satisfied, keep trying to win every possession, keep trying to win every game, and just controlling what I can control,” Khamenia said. “It’s not easy getting to this point. I think anybody in this locker room can say that. From when we were young kids to now, even coming in this summer, you go through things as a freshman.”
–Bob Sutton, Field Level Media
