The banners hang proud inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, the echoes of greatness still fresh: five national championships, countless NBA stars, and the most iconic coach in college basketball history. But the Blue Devils aren’t clinging to the past — they’re preparing for a future that demands more.
It’s July, the heart of the summer grind, and inside the Krzyzewski Center, the atmosphere is electric but intense. Duke basketball is undergoing what insiders are calling a “reality check summer.” The honeymoon is over. The highly touted freshmen, the transfers with buzz, and the returning veterans — no one is safe from scrutiny. Because the message from the coaching staff is simple:
“No more excuses.”
This summer, the Blue Devils aren’t just running drills. They’re separating the contenders from the pretenders. And the early results? Let’s just say, Durham’s discovering who’s real — and who’s just a headline.
The Hype Arrives — But So Does the Pressure
Duke’s 2025-26 roster might be the most talent-packed unit Jon Scheyer has had during his tenure — on paper, at least. The addition of generational recruit Cooper Flagg sent waves through the basketball world. He’s joined by another five-star stud in Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan with pro tools, and Isaiah Evans, a shot-making wing who has been dubbed the next big thing.
Add to that returning veterans like Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster, and Sean Stewart, and transfers like sharpshooter Mason Gillis (Purdue), and it’s no surprise that Duke is once again projected to be a Final Four team.
But talent alone doesn’t win titles — and this summer, the cracks in the armor are beginning to show.
Cooper Flagg Is as Real as It Gets
Let’s start with the obvious: Cooper Flagg is everything Duke hoped for — and more. If anything, he’s underhyped.
“He’s the first guy in the gym, last one to leave. He’s vocal, intense, and maniacal about winning,” said a team insider. “He’s already the best defender and most competitive guy we have. He’s barking at fifth-year seniors.”
Flagg’s motor is relentless. His ability to defend multiple positions, crash the glass, and elevate in transition has made him an instant culture-setter. He’s not just a future NBA star — he’s a present-day college killer. There’s no question: Cooper Flagg is for real.
But his presence is also exposing others.
Caleb Foster’s Struggles: Confidence in Crisis?
While Flagg ascends, Caleb Foster has quietly been slipping in the eyes of staff. After a shaky freshman campaign riddled with inconsistency and defensive lapses, summer was supposed to be his redemption arc.
It hasn’t happened.
Sources inside the program note that Foster’s confidence is “clearly shaken.” He’s been turnover-prone in scrimmages, passive when pressured, and outplayed by both Flagg and incoming freshman Darin Harris, a guard with a chip on his shoulder and no fear.
“It’s mental,” one assistant said. “He has the tools. But when the lights come on, he gets tight. And that’s not going to cut it in this program.”
Unless something clicks in August, Foster could find himself relegated to a bench role, despite once being seen as the future at point guard.
Tyrese Proctor’s Leadership Test
For Duke to compete for a national title, Tyrese Proctor has to be the guy. Not just a good player — but a leader. And while his shot has improved and his on-ball defense remains sharp, the staff is still waiting for him to take ownership.
“He’s the elder statesman now,” said a source. “He has to hold people accountable. That means talking, barking, setting the tone. Not just going through the motions.”
Proctor has shown flashes of vocal leadership, but insiders say the staff wants more edge. More urgency.
Flagg’s arrival has shifted the spotlight, and while the two have developed solid on-court chemistry, it’s unclear whether Proctor will fully embrace the responsibility that comes with being Duke’s true point guard and tone-setter.
Khaman Maluach: Still Raw, Still Risky
He’s 7-foot-2. He runs the floor like a deer. He can swat shots into the bleachers. But Khaman Maluach isn’t quite ready to dominate college basketball yet.
“He’s got every physical gift in the world,” one insider said. “But he’s raw. Really raw.”
In practices, Maluach has struggled with defensive rotations, foul trouble, and finishing through contact. Against Duke’s veteran bigs, especially Ryan Young, he’s been physically overwhelmed at times.
The long-term ceiling is there — NBA scouts are drooling — but don’t be surprised if Maluach starts the year coming off the bench. For now, he’s more promise than production.
Sean Stewart’s Breakout — or Busted Expectations?
One of the more polarizing players in summer workouts has been Sean Stewart. The bouncy forward came to Duke with major expectations but had a quiet freshman season. This summer was his moment to shine.
So far? Mixed reviews.
Stewart’s effort is undeniable. He rebounds like a madman, runs the floor well, and brings energy. But his offensive game remains limited, and he’s been outshot and out-spaced by Gillis and even freshman Isaiah Evans.
“He’s a great piece, but he has to find his role,” an assistant said. “Right now, he’s stuck between positions.”
If Stewart doesn’t carve out a consistent offensive niche, his minutes could dwindle — especially with Maluach and Flagg demanding time in the frontcourt.
Isaiah Evans: Quiet Assassin or Flash in the Pan?
While Flagg gets most of the headlines, Isaiah Evans has been quietly lethal.
He’s not loud. He’s not brash. But he scores. A lot.
“Pure bucket-getter,” said one staffer. “He has that Brandon Ingram-type scoring touch. Midrange, three, getting downhill — he’s efficient.”
But there’s a caveat: Evans has struggled defensively. He’s been targeted in scrimmages and has shown lapses in off-ball awareness. If he can’t become more disciplined, his offensive gifts might not be enough to secure 25+ minutes per game in the rotation.
Still, his upside is undeniable — and if he adapts, he could be the X-factor Duke rides to March.
Mason Gillis: The Veteran Voice Duke Needed
While the headlines have focused on the youth, the most dependable player in summer workouts has arguably been Mason Gillis, the grad transfer from Purdue.
Gillis has been a revelation — vocal, efficient, and tough.
“He’s the adult in the room,” one coach said. “When things get sloppy, he gets them back in line.”
Gillis doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. He spaces the floor with his shooting, defends multiple positions, and sets hard screens. His toughness is exactly what Duke lacked last year.
More importantly, he’s fearless. Gillis is the kind of guy who isn’t afraid to call out a five-star freshman for loafing. And Duke needs that accountability if they’re going to meet expectations.
The Coaching Challenge for Jon Scheyer
This is Jon Scheyer’s most scrutinized summer as Duke’s head coach.
After an impressive first season followed by a disappointing second-round exit last year, expectations are sky-high. But this isn’t just about X’s and O’s — it’s about ego management, role definition, and mental toughness.
Scheyer’s challenge is to take this group of stars, role players, and prospects — and mold them into a team. Not just a collection of mixtapes.
He’s already laid the groundwork by making summer practices more intense. Players are being graded harder. Mistakes are punished. Accountability is constant.
No more babysitting. No more excuses.
Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling
RISING:
- Cooper Flagg – The unquestioned alpha.
- Mason Gillis – The steady hand.
- Isaiah Evans – Offensive assassin (with room to grow defensively).
- Darin Harris – Sleeper freshman turning heads.
FALLING:
- Caleb Foster – Confidence in question.
- Khaman Maluach – Physically gifted but still raw.
- Sean Stewart – Hustle king, but struggling to define role.
Final Word: The Truth Is Coming Out
Duke’s summer workouts aren’t for the faint of heart. This isn’t about highlight reels or Instagram followers. It’s about who wants it more. Who can handle the grind. Who’s built for Durham’s pressure.
With the college basketball world watching and the shadow of Coach K still looming large, this team has a chance to be legendary. But only if they stop believing the hype — and start earning it.
And this summer? We’re already finding out who’s real.
No more excuses. The truth is coming out in Durham.
