**Duke Women’s Basketball to Open 2025 Season in Spectacular Paris Showcase Alongside Three Powerhouse Programs in Historic Global Tip-Off Event*

The 2025 college basketball season is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, and for Duke women’s basketball, it’s set to begin on a truly global stage. In a bold and unprecedented move, the Blue Devils will open their season in Paris, France, as part of a historic four-team showcase that not only aims to grow the sport internationally but also spotlight the elite level of talent that women’s college basketball now boasts. Joining Duke in this remarkable global tip-off event are three other top-tier programs—each bringing their own tradition of excellence, passionate fan base, and hunger for early-season dominance. While the Eiffel Tower may serve as the backdrop, the action on the court is expected to take center stage as these programs collide in what many are already calling a landmark event for the game.

For Duke, the trip to Paris is more than just an overseas adventure. It marks a symbolic step into a new era for a program hungry to return to national prominence. Head coach Kara Lawson, entering the season with renewed focus and a reloaded roster, views the opportunity not merely as an exhibition but as a proving ground. It is an opportunity to set the tone early, test the mettle of her team against top-flight competition, and showcase the evolution of a squad that has quietly been assembling one of the most balanced and dangerous lineups in the country. The stakes may not include conference standings or tournament seeding just yet, but the ramifications are vast—both in terms of team chemistry and national recognition.

Paris has long served as a symbol of elegance, power, and prestige. It is only fitting, then, that this event be staged in the French capital, aligning the grandeur of the city with the growing stature of women’s college basketball. Each participating team will play on an international court, literally and figuratively, as eyes from around the globe will be watching. International scouts, media representatives, and fans are expected to flood into the arena, eager to witness the athleticism, passion, and skill that these athletes bring. The spectacle is expected to draw coverage from major outlets such as ESPN, Eurosport, and a host of basketball-specific networks across Europe, helping to expand the game’s reach in untapped markets.

For Duke, who has steadily risen back into national contention in recent seasons, the timing of this trip is particularly auspicious. Under Lawson, the program has embraced a culture of discipline, toughness, and unrelenting defense, complemented by increasingly creative offensive schemes. While some programs might hesitate at the disruption of a regular season start or the logistical challenges of international travel, Duke has chosen instead to view it as an advantage—a unique chance to bond, to grow, and to embrace discomfort in pursuit of greatness. The roster boasts a blend of returning veterans and young, emerging stars, many of whom have experience in international settings, including FIBA tournaments and overseas training camps.

Among the headliners expected to make a major impact in Paris are senior guard Reigan Richardson, who has steadily developed into a two-way force capable of impacting games at both ends of the floor, and rising sophomore Jadyn Donovan, a dynamic wing whose length and motor have already drawn comparisons to WNBA talent. Duke’s frontcourt has also added key depth and athleticism through transfers and new recruits, giving them the flexibility to run different sets and adjust on the fly depending on matchups. In Paris, every possession will be a learning experience—and a chance to establish who they are before ACC play begins.

Of course, the caliber of competition they will face in Paris is nothing short of elite. The three other programs joining them remain unnamed in the official release, but early reports suggest that at least one Final Four contender and another top-10 team will be making the trip. This ensures that the games won’t be ceremonial—they’ll be gritty, physical, and high-stakes even if they don’t count in March just yet. The timing, right at the start of the season, gives these teams a fresh slate to test their off-season work against opponents who don’t know their playbooks, tendencies, or weaknesses. It’s college basketball stripped to its purest form—talent versus talent, system versus system, heart versus heart.

Beyond the basketball, the trip also serves an invaluable cultural and educational purpose for the student-athletes. In an era where college sports often focus solely on results and branding, the chance for these young women to experience a different culture, learn outside the classroom, and represent their universities on an international stage is profound. Team-building excursions around Paris, from historical tours to group meals along the Seine, will enrich the athletes in ways that stretch far beyond basketball. Coach Lawson, known for her emphasis on leadership and personal development, has long advocated for well-rounded experiences that empower her players on and off the court. This trip is a living extension of that philosophy.

The international spotlight also aligns perfectly with the broader trajectory of women’s basketball. The WNBA has seen record ratings and attendance, college games are drawing massive viewership, and stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have brought unprecedented attention to the sport. Paris, with its deep basketball history and emerging women’s leagues, presents an ideal platform to continue that growth. The showcase is expected to include clinics for local girls, media events designed to raise awareness, and meet-and-greet opportunities with the athletes. It is not just a game—it’s a movement, and Duke is front and center in pushing it forward.

For the fans, the Paris showcase represents a dream matchup in a dream location. Supporters of Duke basketball, known for their loyalty and energy, are already making travel plans to follow the team across the Atlantic. Some are combining the trip with vacations, others see it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience to cheer for their team under the bright lights of an international setting. It’s rare that college sports cross continents, and when they do, the memories created often last a lifetime. Ticket demand is expected to be high, with many fans also tuning in via livestreams and television broadcasts.

The buzz surrounding the event is also attracting the attention of high school recruits and their families. For a program like Duke, which is always in competition for top-tier talent, the message is clear: come to Durham, and the world becomes your stage. The exposure of playing in Paris, under international scrutiny, with cameras flashing and scouts in attendance, offers a recruiting advantage that few programs can match. It suggests ambition. It demonstrates commitment. And it sends a clear signal that Duke is not content to chase greatness—it intends to define it.

In the lead-up to the showcase, the Blue Devils will spend part of their training camp focused specifically on preparation for this event. From studying international officiating tendencies to adapting travel schedules, every detail will be scrutinized to ensure optimal performance. Nutrition, rest, recovery, and mental readiness will all be central to the plan. The coaching staff has also planned closed-door scrimmages with select European teams during their stay, giving Duke the chance to fine-tune strategies and test different lineups before the marquee matchups begin.

While the immediate focus will be on getting a fast start to the 2025 campaign, the long-term benefits of the Paris trip will be measured in intangibles: confidence, camaraderie, poise under pressure, and a heightened sense of purpose. These are qualities that championship teams develop not through drills alone, but through shared experiences that forge bonds and fuel belief. When Duke returns stateside, it will bring back more than game film—it will carry momentum, identity, and the kind of hardened edge that only comes from going through the fire together.

Ultimately, this Paris tip-off is more than a marketing strategy, more than a novel idea—it’s a vision coming to life. A vision of a sport that is no longer confined to regional rivalries or domestic borders. A vision of athletes who are not just college players, but ambassadors of their universities and their sport. And a vision of Duke women’s basketball as a program unafraid to dream boldly, compete fiercely, and lead by example on the biggest stages available.

As the 2025 season dawns in the City of Light, the Blue Devils are poised to illuminate more than the scoreboard. They’re ready to inspire, to battle, and to declare—loudly and globally—that Duke basketball belongs among the very best, wherever the court may be.