Sebastian Wilkins using redshirt season to grow with Duke basketball
Sebastian Wilkins reclassified to join Duke basketball and fourth-year head coach Jon Scheyer a year early ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Two games into the season, Scheyer announced the program was planning to redshirt the Boston, Massachusetts native. The team dove into the decision more on Duke basketball’s latest episode of Duke Blue Plant.
“Each guy has their own journey that they’re going through here,” Scheyer said on the Dec. 4 episode. “Sebastian could still be in high school this year. Sebastian came in and wanted him to attack it right away. We had a conversation in the fall and said, ‘Look, believe in you and believe in the opportunity going forward, but for your development, I want you to know this is an option for you.’
“I wanted him to own it, whatever he felt. Ultimately, he decided that would be what’s best, together we came up with that. He had great ownership in it.”
Wilkins came to Duke as a four-star prospect, tabbed as the fifth-best power forward and 25th-overall by ESPN. He played high school basketball at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
“Coming here, I didn’t expect to redshirt, but things happen,” Wilkins said. “It was really just talking to the coaches ― coach (Emanuel) Dildy, coach Scheyer ― just seeing what was best for me. Just putting the option on the table and letting me decide. Talked to my family members, and we all thought this was best. Just knowing where I’m at right now and where I could really potentially get to and seeing the work I could put in.
“Of course, I want to be on the court and play, but I gotta understand maybe right now I’m not where I need to be but prepping to get there, it’s gonna all work out in the end.”
Wilkins said he is working daily individual work with Player Development Specialist Jayce McCain and adding an extra lift during the week.
“Just trying to get stronger, build a better frame,” he said. “I’d definitely say I’ve been working a lot harder and I feel like this is definitely a good experience for me to know the work I have to put in.”
Scheyer has seen the improvement in Wilkins.
“He’s been getting better every single day,” Scheyer said. “He guards Cam Boozer in practice. He goes at those guys. He’s getting better every single day, and the opportunity where playing time probably would have been limited so you get to save a year, focus on his growth, focus on his development, where he can be even better for us the next year.”
His hard work has not been unnoticed by teammates, either. Cameron Boozer spoke in the episode about Wilkins’ “huge impact” on the team and the competitive edge he adds in practice. Nik Khamenia echoed that sentiment, adding that Wilkins is in the gym before and after team practice getting work in.
“That makes me feel real good and makes me even want to work harder, just give them the best look because their success is my success as well,” Wilkins said. “We’re all in this together, and it’s a great feeling. Every day, I wake up at my dream school, so it really helps. Seeing other people’s pathways, everyone’s path is different, and just knowing mine might not be the same way as someone else’s, but just working every day.”
