Concerns Mount Around Duke Basketball’s Frontcourt Depth as Questions Linger Over Post Presence Entering the Upcoming Season
As Duke basketball prepares for another high-stakes campaign, the buzz surrounding the program remains as intense as ever. The Blue Devils are consistently in the national conversation, and under head coach Jon Scheyer, the team has shown it is capable of maintaining Duke’s elite status in the college basketball world. However, as the 2025 season approaches, there’s one pressing question on everyone’s mind: does Duke have enough frontcourt presence to compete at the highest level? While the roster is stacked with perimeter talent and versatile wings, many insiders, analysts, and fans alike are growing increasingly concerned about the team’s depth and reliability in the paint.
Every elite program has its roster dilemmas, and for Duke, the glaring issue revolves around its big men. Historically, the Blue Devils have relied on elite frontcourt players to anchor both ends of the floor—from the likes of Christian Laettner and Elton Brand to more recent forces like Zion Williamson, Marvin Bagley III, and Vernon Carey Jr. Having dominant inside presence has often translated into deep tournament runs. But for the upcoming season, the frontcourt picture is murkier.
First, there’s the question of size. Duke’s projected starting lineup includes a combination of elite guards and wings, but the team lacks a traditional, physically imposing center who can dominate the paint. There are talented forwards and hybrid players—long, athletic, and versatile—but that doesn’t necessarily solve the problem when it comes to rim protection, interior defense, and post scoring. The modern game has evolved to favor stretch forwards and fluid lineups, but in crunch-time moments, having a dependable big man who can control the boards and defend against opposing post threats remains vital.
The Blue Devils’ top interior prospect, incoming freshman Khaman Maluach, has all the physical tools and upside to become a game-changer, but there are valid concerns about relying too heavily on a freshman to anchor the frontcourt. Maluach, a 7-footer with significant international experience, has tremendous potential, but he’s still raw in terms of footwork, decision-making, and strength. While he has shown flashes of dominance in high school and on the FIBA circuit, the transition to high-level ACC basketball will be a significant leap. If he adjusts quickly, the issue could be minimized, but if he takes time to develop—which is common for young big men—it could expose Duke in critical moments of the season.
Another name that’s surfaced in the frontcourt rotation is Sean Stewart. A McDonald’s All-American, Stewart showed promising signs in limited action last season. His athleticism, high motor, and rebounding instincts make him a valuable piece, but he’s still somewhat undersized for a traditional center role. Stewart fits better as a power forward in a system that features a true rim protector alongside him. As it stands, however, Duke may need him to play bigger than his size, which could present challenges against teams with dominant frontcourts.
Duke also has Christian Reeves, a seven-footer who has battled injuries and hasn’t yet emerged as a rotation mainstay. His development—or lack thereof—could be one of the X-factors for the Blue Devils this season. If Reeves can become a serviceable rim protector and rebounder off the bench, he could alleviate some of the frontcourt burden. However, expectations are tempered due to his inconsistency and health concerns in previous seasons. Relying on unproven or injury-prone players to stabilize a critical position is always a risky proposition for a team with national title aspirations.
Some have suggested that Jon Scheyer could opt for a smaller lineup, emphasizing switchability, spacing, and tempo. That approach could play to Duke’s strengths on the perimeter, where they boast a mix of returning guards and wings who can stretch the floor and attack off the dribble. Players like Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster are poised to take significant steps forward, while newcomers such as Kon Knueppel bring offensive firepower and versatility. However, going small has its drawbacks—particularly on defense. Without a true rim protector, Duke may struggle to guard the paint, and their rebounding could suffer, especially against more physical teams like North Carolina or Purdue.
It’s also worth noting that in the NCAA Tournament, games often slow down, and teams that can control the glass and protect the paint tend to advance. Elite guards can win games, but size and physicality often decide championships. Duke’s potential Achilles’ heel is not having a proven big man to lean on in those gritty, grind-it-out matchups that define March.
Jon Scheyer has proven to be a forward-thinking coach willing to adapt and adjust, but this will be one of his biggest tests yet. Navigating a season with such a glaring positional question will require creative scheming, roster flexibility, and possibly even a mid-season adjustment if the current group doesn’t rise to the occasion. Scheyer and his staff have recruited exceptionally well, but the modern transfer portal era has reshaped roster construction. Some around the program have questioned why Duke didn’t target a veteran transfer big man to stabilize the position. Programs like Kansas, Arizona, and Houston have consistently used the portal to patch roster holes, and it’s an avenue Duke may need to explore more aggressively moving forward.
That said, there is an optimistic view. If Maluach is ahead of schedule developmentally, and if players like Stewart and Reeves take significant steps forward, the frontcourt concern could rapidly dissipate. In fact, if everything clicks, Duke could transform this area of perceived weakness into a surprising strength. But that’s a big “if,” and in the world of elite college basketball, gambling on potential can be a risky foundation.
The team’s perimeter strength is undeniable. Proctor, Foster, and returning sharpshooter Jared McCain form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the country. McCain, in particular, has star potential and the poise to lead Duke deep into March. The wings are deep and multifaceted, with scoring, defense, and basketball IQ in abundance. It’s the interior that remains the question mark—and in a season with such high expectations, every question carries weight.
For Duke fans, it’s a bit of déjà vu. Last season saw moments where the lack of a dominant big man proved costly, particularly against teams that could pound the ball inside. The Blue Devils managed to stay competitive through talent, tenacity, and guard play, but the same problem reemerging this season could prove to be more damaging, especially if rival teams have addressed their own roster imbalances.
In summary, Duke basketball enters the 2025 season with as much promise as ever, but also with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over one vital part of its roster. The frontcourt depth—or potential lack thereof—has become the center of concern for analysts and fans alike. Scheyer’s ability to maximize his roster and navigate this challenge will likely define the Blue Devils’ ceiling this year. If their big men can hold their own and at least provide a stable presence, Duke could find itself back in the Final Four conversation. But if those concerns persist and the frontcourt proves to be a liability, this immensely talented team could fall short of its championship goals once again.
