Duke’s Starting Five Appears to Be Taking Shape After Early Scrimmage as Blue Devils Begin Building 2024–25 Team Identity
The Duke Blue Devils may be in the early stages of their offseason preparations, but if the first intrasquad scrimmage is any indication, Jon Scheyer may already have a strong idea of what his starting five will look like heading into the 2024–25 college basketball season. With a blend of returning talent and one of the most highly anticipated freshman classes in recent memory, Duke is poised to make another run at national relevance—and the clarity emerging from within the program during summer workouts could accelerate that process.
According to several sources with knowledge of the scrimmage, Scheyer rolled out a lineup that featured sophomore guard Caleb Foster, freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, junior wing Mark Mitchell, freshman sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, and towering freshman center Khaman Maluach. While nothing is set in stone at this point, the early cohesion of this unit has caught the attention of those inside the program, and there’s growing belief that this could be the starting group when Duke takes the floor for its season opener.
Scheyer, now entering his third year as head coach, is looking to steer Duke to a deeper postseason run after falling short of expectations in 2024. With that in mind, establishing chemistry and leadership early is a priority. The early formation of a starting five speaks volumes about the tone being set this summer in Durham.
Leading the charge is Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and the most hyped freshman to enter college basketball in over a decade. Standing 6-foot-9 with elite athleticism, two-way versatility, and an uncanny feel for the game, Flagg has already shown in workouts and scrimmages why many consider him the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His performance in the intrasquad scrimmage was reportedly dominant on both ends, with highlight blocks, tough shot-making, and vocal leadership beyond his years.
“Flagg looked like a pro,” said one staffer who witnessed the closed-door scrimmage. “He controlled the pace, disrupted everything defensively, and made winning plays throughout. It’s rare to see a freshman with that level of command.”
Joining Flagg in the starting unit is Caleb Foster, who appears to have taken major strides in the offseason. Foster showed flashes last year as a freshman but struggled with consistency behind veteran guards. Now with Jeremy Roach off to Baylor and Tyrese Proctor pursuing a professional career, Foster has stepped into the lead guard role with confidence and poise. Sources say he’s added muscle, improved his decision-making, and has become a more vocal floor general during summer practices.
“Caleb’s growth has been incredible,” said another source. “He’s taken ownership of this team. He’s the one setting the tone in drills and making sure guys are locked in.”
Foster’s chemistry with Flagg is already becoming a key storyline. The two have reportedly developed a strong on-court connection, running pick-and-rolls, fast-break sequences, and feeding off each other’s high basketball IQ. That synergy could be vital for Duke’s success, especially with the offense expected to flow heavily through Flagg’s playmaking abilities.
Also in the early starting five is Mark Mitchell, the 6-foot-8 wing returning for his junior season. Mitchell provides experience, defensive versatility, and a slashing presence that complements Duke’s more perimeter-oriented scorers. His ability to guard multiple positions and his willingness to do the dirty work—rebounding, diving for loose balls, defending the opponent’s best wing—make him a natural fit alongside high-usage offensive players like Flagg and Knueppel.
“Mark is our glue guy,” Scheyer reportedly told players during a team meeting. “He’s been through the wars. We need his voice and toughness every day.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the early starting lineup is the inclusion of freshman guard Kon Knueppel, a skilled 6-foot-6 wing from Milwaukee who has impressed coaches with his shooting touch, feel for the game, and maturity. While incoming freshmen Isaiah Evans and Darren Harris were expected to compete for major minutes on the wing, Knueppel’s ability to stretch the floor and make smart decisions has seemingly vaulted him into a potential starting role.
“Kon just makes the right play every time,” said one player. “He doesn’t force shots, he talks on defense, and he hits big threes. He’s way more college-ready than people realize.”
With Flagg and Mitchell drawing attention in the paint and Foster creating off the bounce, Knueppel could serve as a deadly catch-and-shoot option who keeps the floor spaced and punishes sagging defenses. His inclusion also gives the starting five a solid blend of length, IQ, and positional versatility—a hallmark of successful Duke teams in the past.
Rounding out the starting five is another freshman, 7-foot-1 center Khaman Maluach. A late addition to the 2024 class, Maluach reclassified to join Duke this fall and is already turning heads with his size, athleticism, and rim-protection instincts. While still raw offensively, his presence around the rim has altered practices, and his defensive impact was reportedly felt immediately in the intrasquad scrimmage.
“He blocked everything,” a team manager said. “Even shots guys thought they had open. He just erased them.”
Maluach’s size and verticality give Duke a defensive anchor who can allow perimeter defenders to play more aggressively. And with Flagg also capable of rotating and helping defensively, Duke’s backline could be among the best in the country. Though there were questions about whether veteran Christian Reeves or stretch big Sean Stewart might start, Maluach’s early dominance appears to have given him the edge.
While this starting group is far from finalized—Scheyer is expected to continue experimenting throughout the summer and into the fall—the early signs are encouraging. The unit blends experience with youthful talent, defense with offensive punch, and most importantly, players who complement each other stylistically. If they can continue to gel and stay healthy, this group has the potential to become one of the most balanced and dangerous starting fives in the country.
Behind the starters, Duke’s depth remains strong. Stewart, Evans, Harris, Reeves, and freshman guard Darren Harris are all expected to contribute off the bench. Stewart, in particular, has reportedly been one of the most improved players this offseason and could play a major role as a sixth man capable of guarding multiple positions and finishing around the rim. Evans and Harris bring elite scoring from the wing, and Reeves, when healthy, provides size and physicality in the paint.
“We’ve got guys who can start on a lot of teams coming off our bench,” one assistant coach said. “That’s the kind of depth we want.”
The focus now shifts to continuing to build chemistry and refining roles. Scheyer has emphasized communication, toughness, and accountability as the foundations of this year’s team. With the intrasquad scrimmage revealing early answers, the challenge becomes maintaining consistency and elevating performance as the season nears.
Expectations in Durham are sky-high. With Flagg generating national buzz, Foster stepping into a leadership role, and a group of high-level players buying into their roles, the foundation is being laid for a memorable season. If this starting five holds, Duke may already have the pieces in place to chase both ACC supremacy and national glory.
“There’s a long way to go,” Scheyer told the team after the scrimmage. “But if this is where we’re starting, we’re in a great spot.”
