BROTHERHOOD RETURNS TO CAMERON: Former Duke Captains Greg Paulus, Kenneth Blakeney, and Jon Scheyer Reunite as Head Coaches in Star-Studded November Showdown
The hallowed hardwood of Cameron Indoor Stadium has witnessed decades of greatness, championship dreams, and unforgettable moments. But few weekends promise the kind of emotional resonance and symbolic power that the one scheduled for November 21–23 will deliver. On those nights, the Brotherhood Run will return to Durham, and with it, a rare convergence of past, present, and future—all stitched together by the powerful legacy of Duke men’s basketball. In an extraordinary sequence of games, Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils will play host to Niagara and Howard, two programs now led by Greg Paulus and Kenneth Blakeney, respectively—both of whom, like Scheyer himself, once wore the captain’s “C” under the intense glare of Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s dynasty.
For fans, alumni, and current players, the weekend offers far more than non-conference matchups on the schedule. It’s a living reunion of shared history and collective identity. These three men—Scheyer, Paulus, and Blakeney—span different generations of Duke basketball but remain unified by the same core values that have long defined the program: discipline, selflessness, accountability, and excellence. All three were leaders on the floor. Now, they’ve transitioned into leadership behind the bench, embodying how Duke basketball prepares young men not only to compete, but to inspire, teach, and evolve the game.
Jon Scheyer, now in his third season as head coach of the Blue Devils, has already begun to carve out his own era in the post-Coach K world. Despite the weight of expectations, he’s navigated the transitional years with poise, showing a deft ability to recruit, connect with players, and maintain Duke’s elite status nationally. His teams reflect his playing style—smart, composed, and adaptable—and his coaching demeanor channels both intensity and calm. A national champion in 2010 and a two-time team captain, Scheyer knows the gravity of what it means to lead Duke basketball. His respect for the program’s roots has been evident in the way he continues to weave alumni back into the fold. The Brotherhood Run, revived under his watch, is more than a gimmick—it’s a ritual, a reminder, and a celebration.
When Greg Paulus walks into Cameron as the head coach of Niagara, it will be a moment of deep personal and professional full-circle significance. Paulus, a four-year starter for Duke from 2005 to 2009, was known for his toughness, vocal leadership, and a fearless approach to the game. A point guard who battled through injuries and competition, Paulus was never short on fire or heart. Now, as a coach, he’s building something of his own at Niagara. Though the resources and platform may be different from what he knew at Duke, Paulus brings that same grit to the Purple Eagles, molding a program in his image—resilient, energetic, and committed to improvement. His return to Durham as an opponent will be surreal, not only for him but for the fans who once watched him dive for loose balls and fight for every inch.
Then there’s Kenneth Blakeney, the head coach of Howard University and a player from a much earlier era of Duke basketball. A captain under Coach K in the early ’90s, Blakeney was a part of the foundational years that turned Duke into a national powerhouse. His perspective carries with it the wisdom of time and the experience of walking both the long road and the high peaks of Division I basketball. At Howard, Blakeney has engineered a remarkable turnaround. He’s led the Bison to postseason success, rejuvenated fan interest, and opened up pathways for HBCU basketball programs to be taken seriously on the national scene. His leadership and vision have earned respect across the country, and his return to Cameron represents a proud moment not only for the Brotherhood, but for the growth and reach of the game itself.
This weekend will be about more than game strategy or box scores. It will be about lineage. It will be about seeing how the seed planted in Durham continues to grow in programs hundreds of miles away. Each of these men carries with him the torch of Duke basketball values into different corners of the sport. When they shake hands at midcourt, when they exchange sideline glances, or when they reconnect in the bowels of Cameron, it will be a testament to what the Brotherhood has always been: not just a slogan, but a living, breathing network of trust, mentorship, and mutual ambition.
Fans can expect to see competitive basketball on the court, to be sure. Niagara will bring a team that reflects Paulus’s aggressive, up-tempo approach. Howard, under Blakeney, will likely feature skillful guard play, defensive pressure, and a sense of swagger befitting its rising national profile. And Duke, always a national contender, will aim to dominate while respecting the deeper narrative playing out under the surface. Scheyer, Paulus, and Blakeney won’t be caught up in the moment sentimentally—they’re competitors first—but the symbolism won’t be lost on anyone watching. These aren’t just coaches. They’re stewards of legacy.
The Brotherhood Run, launched originally under Coach K as a way to reconnect Duke alumni across all eras, has now become a regular fixture on the Blue Devils’ calendar. But rarely does it produce such a vivid display of continuity. In one weekend, you will see three captains, three eras, three philosophies—but one unbroken chain. The program’s evolution from a tightly-knit team into a sprawling coaching tree is tangible. In some ways, Coach K will be present too—his fingerprints are all over this event. His former players now stand where he once stood, coaching in the same competitive crucible where he once barked instructions and lifted trophies.
For young Duke players, the weekend will be a real-time case study in what it means to be part of the Brotherhood. They’ll see their head coach go head-to-head with peers who once wore the same jersey, felt the same pressure, and walked the same halls. It’s a living lesson in legacy, one that can’t be taught in practice or reinforced through video sessions. To see a former player now commanding the sideline at another school—and being welcomed back as family—says more about the culture of Duke basketball than any recruiting pitch could.
Off the court, the reunion is expected to include meetings, dinners, and perhaps moments of quiet reflection. The coaches will likely share war stories, catch up on family, and exchange ideas on player development and program culture. While the competition will be fierce, the camaraderie will be authentic. That’s the beautiful contradiction of the Brotherhood—it embraces fierce independence while maintaining an unbreakable unity.
The broader college basketball world will watch closely. In an era where coaching hires are scrutinized, where player movement is constant, and where loyalty often bends under pressure, the Brotherhood weekend offers a rare glimpse into what long-term investment in people can produce. These aren’t just former players given token coaching gigs. They’re legitimate basketball minds, shaping young lives and building credible programs. Their presence at the helm of three Division I teams speaks volumes about Duke’s ability to develop not only pros but leaders.
This November event will also serve as a soft spotlight on the different paths to success in college basketball. While Duke continues to aim for national titles and five-star recruits, Paulus and Blakeney are grinding out wins in less glamorous settings. But the values instilled at Duke persist—whether it’s in Durham or D.C. or upstate New York. That’s what makes this reunion so meaningful. It’s not about sameness. It’s about shared origins and diverse destinations.
The crowd at Cameron is likely to respond warmly, not only to their own team but to the visiting head coaches who once represented the university with pride. For Paulus and Blakeney, the weekend may stir old memories—of pregame rituals, locker room speeches, of the weight of the jersey and the thrill of playing under the brightest lights. For Scheyer, it may reinforce the responsibility he now carries—to lead a program that doesn’t just produce All-Americans, but people capable of changing the game from the sideline.
In a sport where rivalries dominate headlines and coaching trees are often reduced to PowerPoint slides, this weekend will be a vivid, living testament to continuity and character. The Brotherhood returns not as a marketing gimmick, but as a powerful reality. Three captains, three programs, one weekend, and a shared legacy that stretches far beyond wins and losses.
This is Duke basketball at its best—not just chasing banners, but building something lasting. Something generational. Something sacred. And this November, all of that will be on full display under the lights of Cameron Indoor, as the Brotherhood once again gathers to honor its past, shape its present, and inspire its future.
