The Blue Devils have turned heads this offseason, securing commitments from former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell and former Belmont forward Drew Scharnowski through the transfer portal. Both players bring experience and versatility that complement Duke’s existing philosophy under head coach Jon Scheyer.
Among the names circulating in the transfer market, Allen Graves stands out as a highly rated prospect. The versatile forward averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game in his redshirt freshman season at Santa Clara, and he is projected as the No. 29 overall pick in the NBA draft by CBS Sports analyst Adam Finkelstein. Graves has indicated he is weighing a return to college against the prospect of entering the NBA draft.
Duke’s roster already features a blend of returning talent and fresh blood. Players such as Patrick Ngongba, Dame Sarr, Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer are joined by redshirt freshman Sebastian Wilkins, while the incoming high school class includes five‑star recruits Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard. The team also welcomes back John Blackwell, who is expected to be a primary offensive option.
A Deep and Balanced Squad
The Blue Devils’ depth chart is crowded, making the addition of another elite talent like Graves a potential disruptor. Coach Scheyer has emphasized that the current mix of skill sets and minutes is designed to maximize efficiency, and inserting Graves could shift playing time for existing contributors.
Looking ahead, the team’s chemistry and the integration of new transfers will be closely watched. With a strong recruiting class and a roster that already balances scoring, rebounding and defense, Duke appears poised to remain a contender in the ACC and beyond.