Duke Jazz on the Rise: How Jon Scheyer’s Era Could See Every Blue Devil Scoring Leader Share a Common Bond

When Jon Scheyer took the reins of Duke basketball following the legendary Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement, expectations were understandably monumental. Scheyer wasn’t just inheriting one of college basketball’s most iconic programs—he was following in the footsteps of a titan whose five national championships and record-setting win totals made the Duke job one of the most scrutinized in the country. But now, just a few seasons into the Scheyer era, an intriguing and unexpected storyline is developing that speaks to the future of the program just as much as its rich past: under Scheyer’s watch, Duke may soon have an all-time scoring list topped exclusively by players who played under him.

Call it the “Duke Jazz,” a new kind of rhythm and flow that characterizes Scheyer’s player development philosophy and offensive system. Unlike Krzyzewski’s latter years, where star one-and-dones often defined the Blue Devils’ identity, Scheyer has cultivated an environment that encourages both elite talent and long-term growth. The result? A perfect storm for prolific scorers who stick around just long enough to rewrite the record books.

Start with Kyle Filipowski, the sophomore sensation whose combination of skill, size, and perimeter versatility has made him the face of Duke’s new age. As a freshman, Filipowski led the team in points, rebounds, and energy. While many expected him to leave for the NBA after one season, he returned for a second year—a testament to both his loyalty and Scheyer’s influence. Filipowski’s return immediately put him on track to become one of Duke’s all-time leading scorers, and had he stayed for a third season, he likely would’ve cracked the top five.

But the real flashpoint came with Jared McCain, the electric guard whose freshman year under Scheyer was a revelation. McCain’s three-point shooting, fearlessness in the clutch, and uncanny ability to elevate his game against elite opponents made him a fan favorite. He didn’t just score—he connected, becoming emblematic of a Scheyer recruit: polished, poised, and passionate. If McCain had stayed for more than one season, it’s entirely possible he could have taken aim at JJ Redick’s all-time Duke scoring record. And therein lies the point: Scheyer is attracting and developing players capable of elite production, and if the retention rate ticks upward, history is in play.

Enter Caleb Foster, Tyrese Proctor, and Sean Stewart—players who haven’t even fully reached their collegiate primes but have already demonstrated the tools necessary to become high-level scorers. Proctor, in particular, has shown flashes of All-American potential. His decision to return for another season was a major win for Scheyer, and it underscores a growing trend within the program: continuity. While the one-and-done era hasn’t disappeared entirely, Scheyer is building something that blends the modern realities of college basketball with an old-school appreciation for development.

And that’s the essence of the “Duke Jazz.” Much like jazz music, it’s improvisational yet structured, flashy yet refined. Scheyer empowers his players to create within a system that prizes ball movement, spacing, and freedom. He doesn’t stifle his stars—he elevates them. Offensively, Duke under Scheyer has embraced more modern concepts: pace-and-space, transition efficiency, and positionless basketball. That environment isn’t just attractive to NBA scouts; it’s conducive to putting up points in a hurry. In turn, players who stay for two or more seasons under Scheyer are given the reps, minutes, and green light to score at a clip that would’ve been harder to achieve in Krzyzewski’s tightly controlled schemes.

What’s fascinating is how quickly this trend is taking root. Already, fans and analysts are eyeing the future scoring leaderboard and noticing the shift. Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, only spent one year under Scheyer (technically Coach K’s final season, but Scheyer was lead recruiter and heavily involved). Now, with recruits like Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach considering multi-year paths or at least acknowledging the appeal of staying more than one season, the idea that Duke could one day see its top five scorers all having played for Scheyer is more realistic than ever.

Even JJ Redick, the current all-time scoring leader and a Krzyzewski product through and through, has acknowledged Scheyer’s influence in recent interviews. Redick has praised the offensive ingenuity of Scheyer’s system and how it gives guards and wings alike the opportunity to shine. Redick’s own record, once thought untouchable, might not be so secure in the years to come. If McCain had stayed, he could have made a run at it. If Proctor and Foster stay two more years, they might do it. And if Scheyer continues recruiting and developing with this rhythm, Duke will keep churning out 1,500- and 2,000-point scorers at a rate the program hasn’t seen in decades.

The historical context makes the potential transformation even more compelling. Under Coach K, Duke’s scoring leaders were a mix of multi-year players like Redick, Christian Laettner, and Johnny Dawkins, and short-term stars like Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. The balance made sense for the time. But now, with NIL opportunities offering a financial cushion for returning stars and Scheyer’s ability to build rapport with his players, the incentive to stay has never been stronger. It’s not just about getting to the NBA anymore—it’s about maximizing value, legacy, and preparation.

Scheyer’s recruiting also reflects this shift. He’s targeting players who are not just NBA-bound, but those with a deep desire to compete, grow, and be part of something lasting. Whether it’s future lottery picks or potential four-year leaders, the messaging is clear: come to Duke, score a ton, develop your game, and possibly leave with your name atop one of college basketball’s most prestigious record books.

This evolution isn’t happening in a vacuum, either. Other bluebloods are taking notice. North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas have all experienced struggles with roster turnover and cultural resets in the post-one-and-done era. Duke, meanwhile, seems to be threading the needle perfectly: attracting elite talent while fostering long-term investment. That model leads not only to wins in March but also to sustained excellence and personal milestones for players. When fans see names like Foster, McCain, or Proctor climbing the all-time points ladder, it doesn’t just tell a story of stats—it speaks to a cultural transformation in Durham.

For Scheyer himself, it’s a validation of his vision. He wasn’t a splashy hire; he was an internal promotion. But he has made it his mission to evolve without erasing the past. The “Duke Jazz” is rooted in tradition but isn’t afraid to improvise. It plays the hits while remixing the tune. And most of all, it understands that greatness isn’t just measured in banners—it’s measured in the mark players leave on a program, statistically and spiritually.

Should the trend continue, it’s entirely possible that within the next 5–7 years, Duke’s top five career scorers will all be products of the Jon Scheyer era. That would be a staggering achievement, one that not even Coach K accomplished despite his unparalleled longevity. It would cement Scheyer’s place not only as the right successor but as a program builder in his own right—one whose fingerprints are now etched into Duke’s legacy, note by note, point by point.

And if that happens, the “Duke Jazz” won’t just be a nickname. It’ll be the defining sound of a new generation in Durham.