The confidence inside the Duke Blue Devils locker room is rising—and it’s not just the upperclassmen doing the talking. One of Jon Scheyer’s youngest players, a highly touted freshman already making waves during summer workouts, has made it clear: Duke’s eyes are fixed squarely on a national championship.

“I think we’ve got a really good chance,” the freshman said, speaking after an early off-season workout at Cameron Indoor Stadium. “The pieces are here. The coaching is here. We’re hungry.”

Those words are music to the ears of the Duke faithful, a fanbase still chasing its first NCAA title since 2015. Though Scheyer has continued to stack elite recruiting classes since taking over from the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, March has not been kind to the Blue Devils in recent seasons. A Sweet 16 appearance in 2024 offered hope, but fell short of the program’s lofty standards.

Now, with another top-ranked class entering Durham—and the returning nucleus led by veteran guard Tyrese Proctor—the expectations are boiling over.

And based on what’s brewing behind the scenes, the freshmen aren’t afraid of the pressure.

The Freshman Speaks—And Believes

The player in question is part of Duke’s consensus No. 1 recruiting class for 2024-25, a group loaded with McDonald’s All-Americans and projected future NBA Draft picks. Though the program hasn’t officially named the speaker—Duke typically keeps freshmen shielded from major media until the season nears—it’s widely believed the confident voice came from 6-foot-9 forward Khaman Maluach, one of the most anticipated prospects in recent memory.

Regardless of identity, the sentiment has quickly gone viral across Duke basketball circles.

“You don’t come to Duke if you’re scared of expectations,” the freshman added. “You come here to win banners, to win rings. That’s what this group is about.”

For longtime Duke fans, it’s a refreshing glimpse of old-school swagger reminiscent of the early 2000s, when players like Shane Battier, Jay Williams, and JJ Redick spoke openly about championship ambitions—and delivered. Those teams carried themselves with unshakable belief, often dominating opponents with both talent and an undeniable edge.

Scheyer, now entering his third season as head coach, has been clear about restoring that identity. And according to insiders, this incoming class might be his most complete and competitive roster to date.

Why the Confidence is Justified

It’s easy to dismiss bold proclamations from a freshman as youthful enthusiasm. But in Duke’s case, the optimism is grounded in reality.

The Blue Devils return critical pieces from last season’s team, including junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who bypassed the NBA Draft to lead Duke’s backcourt. His experience, coupled with sophomore sharpshooter Jared McCain, provides a veteran foundation that many championship-caliber teams require.

In the frontcourt, Duke adds Maluach, a 7-foot phenom originally from South Sudan, who blends length, athleticism, and a rapidly improving offensive skill set. Scouts have compared his potential to that of former Blue Devil and current NBA star Paolo Banchero—a high compliment given Banchero’s instant impact at the collegiate level.

Joining Maluach are fellow five-star recruits Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans, both capable of slotting into multiple positions with versatility and high-end scoring prowess. Flagg, in particular, enters Durham with unprecedented hype, already labeled by some analysts as the best Duke recruit since Zion Williamson.

Together, this blend of experience and elite youth creates what many around the program are calling “Scheyer’s deepest team yet.”

And that’s before considering the added depth from transfers and role players eager to earn minutes.

The National Landscape Favors Duke

The timing of Duke’s surge couldn’t be better. College basketball, as always, is a revolving door of talent, with many programs losing stars to the NBA or transfer portal departures.

Blue blood rivals like Kentucky and Kansas have retooled, but questions linger regarding chemistry and roster fit. Defending champion UConn faces heavy attrition, with several key players off to the pros. Meanwhile, programs like North Carolina and Michigan State are rebuilding, albeit with strong incoming classes.

In that context, Duke’s mixture of returning contributors, elite freshmen, and a coach growing more comfortable in the spotlight offers a clear pathway to national relevance—and potentially, championship contention.

Analysts across ESPN, CBS Sports, and The Athletic have consistently ranked Duke in the preseason Top 5, with some early brackets slotting the Blue Devils as a No. 1 seed.

But it’s the mindset, as echoed by the confident freshman, that might matter most.

“You’ve got to believe it before you achieve it,” the freshman emphasized. “And every day we’re in that gym, pushing, competing, we’re building that belief.”

Scheyer’s Evolving Blueprint

While much of the conversation revolves around Duke’s loaded roster, credit must also go to Jon Scheyer, whose transition from decorated player to head coach has been steady, though not without growing pains.

Scheyer inherited immense pressure following Coach K’s retirement, tasked with maintaining Duke’s status as a perennial powerhouse while adapting to the modern challenges of NIL, the transfer portal, and one-and-done culture.

In his first two seasons, Scheyer’s Blue Devils have shown flashes—winning the ACC Tournament in 2023 and reaching the Sweet 16 last spring—but true March dominance remains elusive.

The third year, often considered a pivotal window for new head coaches, could mark Scheyer’s defining moment.

“He’s been there as a player, as a leader, as a champion,” the freshman noted. “We trust him. He knows what it takes, and he’s pushing us every day.”

The Brotherhood Mentality Remains

Beyond talent and coaching, Duke’s famed “Brotherhood” culture is alive and well, shaping the mindset of this new generation.

Former Blue Devils like Grant Hill, Jayson Tatum, and Kyrie Irving continue to engage with the program, often returning to campus for mentorship sessions and team events. Their message? Embrace the pressure, respect the legacy, but carve your own path.

That mentorship has already made an impression on the freshmen.

“We’ve heard from guys who have been through it,” the freshman shared. “They tell us the truth—it’s hard, the expectations are real, but if you buy in, if you work, you can be part of something special.”

That sense of continuity, blending past greatness with present ambition, fuels the belief that Duke’s championship window is wide open.

The Road Ahead

Of course, winning a national title is never guaranteed, even with overwhelming talent. The road through the ACC remains treacherous, with formidable opponents like Virginia, Miami, and North Carolina eager to spoil Duke’s party.

Non-conference challenges, including the Maui Invitational and marquee showdowns at Madison Square Garden, will test the Blue Devils early and often.

But that’s precisely what this team wants—opportunity, adversity, and the chance to prove themselves worthy of the lofty expectations.

“We don’t want it easy,” the freshman concluded. “The best teams, the championship teams, they go through battles. We’re ready for that.”

A Championship or Bust Mentality

In the end, Duke’s bold freshman proclamation reflects more than youthful bravado—it captures the spirit of a program hungry to return to college basketball’s pinnacle.

With an elite roster, rising coaching acumen, and a renewed sense of urgency, the Blue Devils appear poised to make a legitimate run at cutting down the nets in 2025.

And if this confident freshman is right, Duke’s next championship banner may already be within reach.

The rest of the country has been warned—the Blue Devils believe their time is now.