In a season filled with buzzer-beaters, fierce rivalries, and championship aspirations, the Duke Blue Devils have once again proven that excellence isn’t confined to the hardwood. This week, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced its 2025 All-ACC Academic Team—and Duke proudly placed seven student-athletes on the prestigious list, highlighting a commitment to both athletic dominance and academic achievement.
Earning a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team is no easy feat. The honor requires student-athletes to maintain a strong GPA while also making significant contributions to their team. Balancing a rigorous academic workload with the demands of high-level college basketball is a challenge that few truly appreciate, yet Duke’s standout seven have risen to the occasion, showing that being a Blue Devil is about far more than just winning games.
Each of the seven honorees has played a critical role in Duke’s 2024–25 campaign, whether through on-court leadership, defensive grit, or offensive firepower. But what separates these players isn’t just their basketball IQ—it’s their dedication to the classroom, film study, community involvement, and personal growth.
For a university renowned for its academic prestige and elite basketball pedigree, this latest achievement is another reminder of the holistic excellence that defines Duke. The coaching staff, led by Jon Scheyer, has consistently emphasized the importance of academic integrity, holding players to high standards and celebrating their success in all areas of life. This year’s academic accolades speak volumes about the culture being cultivated within the program.
Take, for instance, junior guard Jaden Harris, whose stellar GPA in biomedical engineering has impressed professors and teammates alike. A rotational player known for his energy off the bench, Harris has quietly emerged as a leader in study halls and group projects. He’s the kind of teammate who’ll diagram a zone defense one minute and a molecular compound the next. His ability to manage lab reports, practice, travel, and team meetings without missing a beat has earned him respect across campus.
Then there’s sophomore forward Marcus Bradley, a rising star who’s shown maturity well beyond his years. Majoring in public policy with a concentration in urban development, Bradley has used his platform to engage in local initiatives around Durham, working on projects that aim to improve housing access and educational equity. On the court, his versatility and rebounding have been essential, but off the court, it’s his sense of purpose and community engagement that shine just as brightly.
Senior center Nolan Freeman, one of the elder statesmen of the team, rounds out the trio of upperclassmen on the list. A psychology major eyeing graduate school, Freeman has served as a mentor to younger players while excelling in the classroom. His senior thesis on performance anxiety in athletes has already garnered attention from faculty members. Known for his steady presence in the paint and even steadier demeanor in team meetings, Freeman’s academic recognition is a fitting capstone to a memorable college career.
Among the freshmen honored is Cameron “Cam” Mitchell, a highly touted recruit whose impact on Duke’s season has been felt immediately. While most first-year players struggle to adjust to the demands of college athletics, Mitchell has not only adjusted—he’s thrived. A pre-med student with a near-perfect GPA, Mitchell balances his studies with grueling practices and national media attention. What separates Mitchell, his professors say, is his insatiable curiosity—he’s just as passionate asking questions in organic chemistry as he is defending top scorers in ACC play.
Joining Mitchell in the freshman class is wing player Elijah Brooks, a communications major who has shown a deep interest in sports journalism and media ethics. Known for his silky shooting stroke and court awareness, Brooks has also become a fixture in Duke’s student media circles, recently contributing a thoughtful column about athletes and mental health. His ability to communicate, connect, and inspire both on and off the court makes him a rare talent—and one the university is proud to call its own.
Rounding out the group are sophomore guard Devin Carter and junior swingman Trey Lawson. Carter, a statistics major, has quietly built a reputation as the team’s analytical thinker, often diving into advanced metrics to improve his game. Lawson, on the other hand, has combined a major in sociology with activism work, helping lead a campus dialogue series focused on student-athlete identity and systemic change. Both players have shown that leadership isn’t always loud—it can come in the form of late-night tutoring sessions, mentoring younger teammates, or staying late to review film and coursework.
In total, Duke’s seven honorees represent a beautiful mosaic of academic interests, life goals, and athletic contributions. While each has followed a unique path, their stories converge around one core value: commitment. The Blue Devils’ commitment to excellence in all areas is no accident. It’s the result of a carefully built culture that values personal development as much as wins.
Head coach Jon Scheyer, himself a former Duke standout and academic achiever, praised the student-athletes for their dedication. “These guys put in the work, day in and day out. What they’re doing isn’t easy—flying across the country to play nationally televised games, then coming back and crushing an exam or turning in a 15-page paper. It’s a special kind of discipline. I’m incredibly proud of them.”
That sentiment is echoed by academic advisors and faculty across Duke’s campus, who have worked closely with the basketball program to ensure student-athletes receive the support they need. From flexible office hours to tailored study sessions and travel accommodations, the infrastructure behind these successes is strong—but at the heart of it are the students who make it happen.
It’s easy to focus on the bright lights of Cameron Indoor Stadium, the pressure-packed moments in March, and the drive to hang banners. But achievements like this remind fans and recruits alike that Duke’s foundation is about more than trophies. It’s about shaping future leaders, whether they end up in the NBA, in medicine, in policy, or wherever their passions take them.
In an era when college athletics is rapidly evolving—with the NIL era, realignment, and intense scrutiny around player compensation—it’s especially meaningful to see stories like these celebrated. The All-ACC Academic Team isn’t just a list. It’s a powerful statement that academics still matter, that character still matters, and that the student-athlete experience, when supported correctly, can be truly transformative.
For the seven Blue Devils named to this year’s team, the honor is both a recognition of past effort and a challenge to continue striving. The bar has been set high—not just for Duke, but for the conference and the nation.
As the season winds down and tournament dreams heat up, the spotlight will undoubtedly return to the court. But win or lose, the legacies of these seven student-athletes are already secure. They’ve proven that they can compete at the highest level, not just in basketball, but in life. And in doing so, they’ve given Duke fans yet another reason to be proud.
Their names may one day be called on draft night, or read aloud at graduation. They may lead future businesses, teach future students, or inspire future athletes. But for now, they stand together as part of something special—Duke’s Elite Seven. And that’s a championship in its own right.