The Rise of Duke’s NBA Draft Pipeline
Under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke’s basketball program has accelerated its pipeline to the NBA, delivering nine drafted players since his arrival in 2022, among them a No.1 overall selection.
The statistical weight of those selections is underscored by Duke’s historic draft record: 116 alumni have been chosen over the program’s history, with 59 of those landing in the first round, and five of those first‑rounders emerging during Scheyer’s opening three seasons.
The 2025 draft class not only produced Cooper Flagg, crowned Rookie of the Year, but also saw Kon Knueppel finish second in Rookie of the Year voting, while the trio of Flagg, Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead formed the first wave of first‑round talent under Scheyer.
Looking ahead, the 2026 draft board projects Kon Knueppel as the third overall pick, Cameron Boozer also slated third, and Isaiah Evans expected at No.21, indicating that the Blue Devils will again be represented among the top selections when the draft convenes in Brooklyn on June 23‑24.