DURHAM, N.C. — The energy inside Cameron Indoor Stadium was nothing short of electric on Tuesday, August 5, as the Duke Blue Devils opened the doors and gave fans a thundering first look at the 2025–26 squad. And charging straight into the spotlight? Freshman forward Nikolas Khamenia, wearing No. 14, slicing through defenders and heading to the basket with fierce intent during high-speed drills.
The highly touted rookie didn’t just go through the motions — he attacked every rep with purpose. Whether sprinting in transition or slashing toward the rim with a defender on his hip, Khamenia looked like a player ready to earn minutes early. At 6’8″, with strength, vision, and touch, he offered a clear sign: he’s not just part of the future — he’s ready now.
Coach Jon Scheyer and the Duke coaching staff orchestrated a crisp, high-octane practice designed to simulate real-game pressure, and the roster responded in full. With the top-ranked recruiting class in the country and several key returners, the Blue Devils have depth, size, and explosiveness at every position.
Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the headline twins and sons of Duke great Carlos Boozer, brought the heat in a sibling showdown. Cameron knocked down mid-range jumpers and attacked the paint, while Cayden showed elite court awareness and defensive intensity — even taking on his brother one-on-one.
Meanwhile, Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, and Darren Harris looked locked in, balancing veteran leadership with aggression. Harris in particular nailed multiple three-pointers and cut to the basket with precision, earning cheers from the crowd.
But it was Khamenia’s relentless effort in drills and scrimmage sequences that stood out. He moved like a guard, powered like a forward, and read the floor like a veteran. Whether sealing off defenders in the post or finishing through contact, he looked like a future matchup nightmare.
Add in high-flying moments from Dame Sarr, highlight steals from Sebastian Wilkins, and a healthy dose of hustle from Patrick Ngongba and Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, and Duke’s open practice turned into a full-throttle preview of a team built to win.
The message from Tuesday’s event was loud and clear: this Duke team is fast, fearless, and coming for everything. The countdown to tipoff is on — and with Nikolas Khamenia already making waves, the Blue Devils look dangerous.
