On Tuesday, August 5, Duke opened Cameron Indoor Stadium to fans for their much‑anticipated first peek at the 2025‑26 Blue Devils under head coach Jon Scheyer. Admission was free for the first 5,000 attendees, with doors at 5 p.m. and practice starting at 5:30 p.m., complete with music from a live DJ and fan contests for prizes . The open‑practice concept isn’t just about basketball—it’s part of Scheyer’s effort to engage fans and celebrate Duke culture in a modern version of the old Coach K clinics .
On court, fans were treated to an energetic, fast‑paced scrimmage featuring key returners Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Maliq Brown, Darren Harris, and Patrick Ngongba, alongside the top‑ranked 2025 freshmen class led by Cameron Boozer, Sebastian Wilkins, Nik Khamenia, Dame Sarr, and Cayden Boozer .
Cameron Boozer, Duke’s prized recruit, looked poised and confident in his role as a focal point. He knocked down threes from the wing and corner, executed post moves with finesse, and showed playmaking ability as a hub in the paint .
Darren Harris stood out as a sharp perimeter threat, scoring 11 points in limited minutes. He sank multiple three‑pointers off drive‑and‑kick actions and delivered a slick cut to convert inside the arc .
Patrick Ngongba, who had battled injuries last season, flashed skill as a pick‑and‑roll facilitator, threading passes and finishing with hook shots—he helped orchestrate teammates with his 6′11″ frame and court vision .
Freshmen Dame Sarr, Nik Khamenia, and Sebastian Wilkins provided glimpses of their promise: Sarr delivered high‑flying dunks and a wing three, Wilkins hit a rebound‑pop three and made a steal‑and‑dunk sequence, while Khamenia and Cayden Boozer attacked the lane and created spacing .
As reported by Duke Basketball Report’s DBR Bites, practice also offered promising vibes about returning contributors like Isaiah Evans and Nik Khamenia, both earning buzz for their potential breakout roles, and positive updates on Maliq Brown’s recovery from shoulder injuries .
Taken together, Tuesday’s drill set showed depth, balance, and modern versatility. Veteran shooters like Evans and Foster mesh with newly arrived freshmen to fuel a roster built to compete with length, athleticism, and spacing. Coach Scheyer’s squad appears capable of executing a faster, more unselfish brand of basketball rooted in team defense and fluid ball movement.
If the open practice was any indication, Duke fans have plenty to be excited about heading into another promising season.
