DURHAM, N.C. — Summer might be heating up across the country, but inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, the temperature just exploded — and Duke basketball fans got a thrilling sneak peek at what’s coming this season.
A recently released highlight video from the Blue Devils’ summer scrimmage has gone viral, racking up over 41,000 views on YouTube since July 11. The footage delivers an early taste of Jon Scheyer’s fourth squad — and from the looks of it, Duke is loaded with size, skill, and swagger heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Let’s break down the five biggest takeaways from the scrimmage:
1. Cameron Boozer Is Already HIM
Projected top-3 NBA Draft pick? Check. ACC Player of the Year candidate as a freshman? Believe it.
Cameron Boozer — the crown jewel of Duke’s 2025 recruiting class — looked every bit the star fans hoped for. He dropped 10 effortless points in the highlight reel, drilling 3s from both wings and dominating inside with crafty post footwork. The 6-foot-9 forward even threw in a fadeaway and a slick hook shot, showcasing elite footwork and vision from the mid-post. Boozer’s ability to score, pass, and anchor both ends of the floor screams one-and-done superstar.
2. Darren Harris Looks Like the ACC’s Next Great Sniper
Don’t sleep on Darren Harris.
After flashing potential in limited minutes last year, the sophomore sharpshooter looked fearless in the scrimmage — pouring in 11 points, including three smooth 3-pointers. He thrived as a catch-and-shoot threat off drive-and-kick action and also showed off smart off-ball movement with a tough layup in traffic. If Harris keeps this up, he’ll be Duke’s deadliest perimeter threat.
3. Patrick Ngongba Is More Than Just a Big Body
Patrick Ngongba’s evolution continues — and it’s getting exciting.
The 6-foot-11 sophomore center showed off not just his scoring touch (with a hook shot and layup) but also his underrated playmaking. Ngongba tallied three assists in the video, including slick feeds off pick-and-rolls that led to easy baskets. Healthy and confident, he’s becoming the kind of big that makes Duke’s half-court offense dynamic.
4. Freshmen Flash: Sarr, Wilkins, Khamenia, and Cayden Boozer Pop Off
While all eyes were on Cameron Boozer, his classmates came to play.
Dame Sarr, the explosive international guard, delivered jaw-dropping dunks in transition and nailed a wing 3-pointer.
Sebastian Wilkins sank a momentum-shifting 3 off an offensive rebound — aka a “Duke shot” — then made
a steal and dunked in tran
