The Duke Blue Devils’ summer scrimmage ahead of the 2025-26 college basketball season offered a revealing preview into what could be a dynamic and formidable squad. This annual intrasquad event, held at Cameron Indoor Stadium, not only showcased the raw talent of newcomers but also provided a deeper glimpse into the development of returning veterans and the early tactical leanings of head coach Jon Scheyer. As fans poured into the stands and anticipation mounted, what unfolded over the course of the afternoon was a high-energy display of skill, competitiveness, and the seeds of team chemistry that could define the Blue Devils’ journey through the upcoming season.
First and foremost, the returners looked comfortable and confident in their roles. Junior forward Mark Mitchell played with a noticeable sense of poise and maturity. Often initiating offense from the high post, Mitchell showed off an improved handle and decisiveness in his movements. His jumper, which was previously a question mark, looked smoother and more reliable from midrange and beyond the arc. He attacked mismatches with greater assertiveness, often taking advantage of smaller defenders by backing them down in the post and either scoring over them or finding open shooters when the double came. Mitchell’s versatility will be key for Duke this season, especially given his ability to guard multiple positions and stretch the floor.
Tyrese Proctor, entering his junior year as well, was arguably the most dominant player on the floor. Proctor’s evolution from a talented, but occasionally inconsistent, freshman into a floor general with a calming presence was on full display. He controlled the tempo, directed traffic, and showed an advanced understanding of spacing and timing. His passing was crisp, especially in transition where he often found trailing shooters or cutters diving to the basket. On several occasions, Proctor used his size and vision to manipulate defenders and create wide-open looks for teammates. His shot selection has matured, and he knocked down several pull-up threes with defenders in his face, suggesting a leap in both confidence and ability. More importantly, his vocal leadership on the court was palpable. He encouraged younger players, reset plays when things got disorganized, and took ownership on both ends.
Another standout among the returning players was Caleb Foster. Now with a full year of collegiate experience under his belt, Foster looked noticeably stronger and quicker. He’s always been a capable scorer, but his ability to create off the dribble appeared significantly improved. Foster excelled in pick-and-roll situations, making the right reads and hitting floaters or short pull-ups in traffic. Defensively, he pressed opposing ball-handlers full court and forced several turnovers, showing an intensity and motor that had Coach Scheyer applauding from the sideline. It’s clear that Foster has embraced the grind of offseason development, and he’s shaping up to be a major two-way contributor.
Of course, the spotlight was inevitably on the newcomers, and they did not disappoint. The highest-rated recruit in the class, small forward Kyren Middleton, delivered a performance that affirmed the hype. Middleton is a natural scorer, capable of creating his own shot and knocking down difficult looks with ease. He has a fluid jumper, particularly from midrange, and his ability to elevate off the dribble is already college-ready. What stood out even more than his scoring was his defense and activity level. Middleton didn’t take plays off—he hounded his man, crashed the glass, and contested shots with an energy that’s not always present in blue-chip recruits early in their careers. His offensive instincts are elite, but his willingness to embrace the dirty work makes him a likely candidate for early minutes.
Freshman big man Jonas Bradley also made a strong impression. At 6’11” with a long wingspan and solid frame, Bradley anchored the paint and provided a legitimate rim-protecting presence. He altered shots, rebounded at a high level, and even showed some touch around the basket. On one sequence, he caught a high entry pass in traffic, used a quick drop step, and finished through contact for an and-one that drew loud cheers from the crowd. While his post game is still developing, Bradley demonstrated good footwork and patience in the paint. He also flashed the potential to hit mid-range jumpers, giving hope that he could become a stretch-five down the line. Defensively, he was mobile enough to hedge on pick-and-rolls and recover to the paint—a skill that bodes well for Duke’s switch-heavy defensive scheme.
Another freshman worth highlighting is combo guard Jalen Crutchfield. Slightly overshadowed during the recruiting process, Crutchfield came into the scrimmage with something to prove and succeeded in doing just that. He’s a crafty ball-handler with a low center of gravity, and his first step allowed him to get into the lane repeatedly. Crutchfield’s passing on the move was sharp, and he seemed to have a good feel for collapsing the defense and kicking out to shooters. He also competed defensively, using his quick hands to swipe away a couple of steals and get out in transition. Though not as highly rated as Middleton or Bradley, Crutchfield may end up playing a significant role off the bench due to his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
The chemistry between veterans and freshmen was one of the most encouraging signs from the scrimmage. There was a visible effort to integrate the newcomers into the flow, with older players setting screens, giving direction, and celebrating their successes. At one point, after Middleton sank a tough and-one baseline jumper, both Proctor and Mitchell were the first to meet him with chest bumps and words of encouragement. That sort of camaraderie can’t be faked, and it’s often the difference between a good team and a great one.
Schematically, the Blue Devils ran a lot of motion offense with flexible spacing and off-ball movement. It was clear that Coach Scheyer wants the ball to move freely and quickly, and for players to make decisions on the fly rather than rely solely on set plays. That puts a premium on basketball IQ and communication—two areas where this Duke team looks ahead of schedule. On defense, Duke switched frequently and showed flashes of a zone press designed to trap in the backcourt. While there were occasional breakdowns in rotation—a normal part of summer scrimmages—the overall intensity on defense was high. Players were talking, rotating, and contesting shots with purpose.
One minor concern that emerged was Duke’s perimeter shooting consistency. While several players hit threes during the scrimmage, there were stretches where the offense stagnated due to missed open looks. Players like Foster, Proctor, and Crutchfield will need to continue refining their outside shot, and the coaching staff may rely on Middleton or graduate transfer wing Levi Samuels—known for his catch-and-shoot ability—to provide spacing when necessary. Samuels, by the way, looked comfortable in a limited role during the scrimmage, doing the little things like making the extra pass, boxing out, and knocking down corner threes.
The crowd energy, even in a scrimmage setting, mirrored the expectations for this team. After a disappointing early exit in the NCAA tournament last season, fans and players alike seem hungry for redemption. That urgency was evident in the way players sprinted back on defense, fought through screens, and contested every shot. No one was coasting. Even walk-ons were diving on the floor for loose balls and taking charges, and that culture of effort and accountability is a reflection of the coaching staff’s priorities heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
