Maliq Brown Amazed by One Duke Freshman Whose Skillset Could Take Blue Devils to Championship Level in 2025–26 Season
When Maliq Brown transferred to Duke from Syracuse, he knew he was joining a program steeped in tradition, talent, and expectations. As one of the most experienced players on a youthful 2025–26 Blue Devils roster, Brown came in with the intention of providing leadership, defensive tenacity, and a physical presence in the frontcourt. But even a seasoned ACC veteran like Brown found himself in awe during early summer workouts—especially when he got his first extended look at freshman sensation Jayden “Juke” Harris.
According to multiple sources close to the team, Brown has been “blown away” by Harris, who joined Duke as the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class. While Brown hasn’t been shy in praising the entire freshman class for their competitiveness and skill, it’s Harris who’s repeatedly drawn the highest praise from the fifth-year forward.
“It’s rare you see a guy that big with those kinds of guard skills,” Brown reportedly told coaches after a practice session. “He’s already moving like a pro.”
Standing at 6-foot-9 with a lean but powerful 215-pound frame, Harris looks every bit the part of a future NBA lottery pick. What’s even more striking, though, is how quickly he’s adjusted to the speed and complexity of Duke’s system—and how comfortable he already looks operating in multiple roles. Harris has drawn comparisons to former Blue Devil stars like Brandon Ingram and Jayson Tatum, not just for his physical attributes but for his fluidity, poise, and basketball IQ.
Brown’s admiration isn’t just about raw talent. It’s also about maturity.
“Juke’s always locked in,” Brown told local reporters during a post-practice media availability. “He’s not here for hype or spotlight. He works. He listens. And you can tell he’s not just trying to make the league—he wants to win.”
That mindset has clearly impressed the coaching staff, as well. Head coach Jon Scheyer has reportedly been thrilled with how Harris has embraced the team-first culture in Durham, even as the spotlight has followed him since his high school days. With NBA scouts already watching his every move, Harris has instead focused on improving his defensive awareness, communication, and consistency in team drills.
“Maliq sees things from a defensive perspective, so when he says Juke’s special, it holds weight,” one assistant coach said. “He’s not the kind of guy who gets impressed easily.”
Brown, known for his elite defensive versatility and high motor, has gone head-to-head with Harris in practice several times already—and that’s where much of the respect stems from. Harris hasn’t backed down from the physical challenge, often rising to the occasion with shot-making, ball movement, or decisive takes to the rim. While Brown usually sets the tone with his defense, Harris has made it clear that he’s not just another freshman learning the ropes—he’s a game-changer.
Brown has specifically highlighted Harris’s ability to create his own shot against pressure, noting that “he doesn’t need much space” and that “his step-back is already elite.” That skill will be critical in late-game situations where Duke needs a bucket, especially against elite defenses. Harris’s shot-making ability, paired with his size and vision, gives Duke an option they haven’t had since Paolo Banchero—or even Zion Williamson before him.
More than just a scorer, Harris has also turned heads with his passing. Brown has spoken about how Harris has surprised teammates with “bullet passes in transition” and advanced reads in half-court sets, especially during scrimmages. That kind of playmaking from a freshman forward could open up Duke’s offense in ways that even the coaching staff didn’t fully expect.
While Harris is grabbing headlines, Brown is using his own presence to help accelerate the freshman’s growth. The two have developed an on-court synergy, particularly in pick-and-roll and dribble-handoff actions. Harris has already displayed the patience to let screens develop and the awareness to hit Brown on short rolls or slips to the basket.
“Juke’s got a real understanding of timing,” Brown said. “He’s not forcing anything. If it’s not there, he resets. That’s a skill most guys don’t learn until year three or four.”
What makes the dynamic even more compelling is how Brown has naturally stepped into a mentoring role without compromising his own goals. Entering his final year of eligibility, Brown has aspirations of playing professionally himself, likely earning a two-way contract or overseas deal based on his defensive value. But instead of focusing solely on his own trajectory, he’s leaned into helping develop Duke’s younger stars—and that, in turn, has elevated the team culture.
“Having a guy like Maliq who’s been through it all is invaluable,” said Scheyer during a recent press appearance. “He doesn’t just lead with words—he leads with effort, attitude, and consistency. And when someone like that is praising a freshman, everyone takes notice.”
The Blue Devils are set to enter the season as a top-three team in the country, thanks in large part to their deep, versatile roster. Yet many analysts believe their true ceiling will be defined by how quickly the freshmen—especially Harris—can become go-to players against elite competition. In that regard, Brown’s early endorsement of Harris may carry more significance than any preseason ranking or scouting report.
Even Duke’s upperclassmen guards, including returning sharpshooter Jared McCain, have echoed Brown’s sentiments about Harris.
“We knew he was good,” McCain said, “but seeing it every day in practice is different. He can go left, right, shoot over guys, and he’s already picking up our plays quicker than expected. Having him makes life easier for all of us.”
Harris’s rise hasn’t caused tension among the veterans, either. If anything, his competitiveness has raised the level of everyone around him. Brown’s respect for Harris hasn’t dulled his own edge; the two have reportedly gone at it during scrimmages with noticeable intensity, much to the delight of the coaching staff.
“He doesn’t want anything easy,” Brown said of guarding Harris. “If he’s going to be great, I want to make sure I push him every day.”
That balance of competition and camaraderie is one of the defining traits of Duke’s 2025–26 team. With so much talent on the floor, ego management becomes critical—but veterans like Brown are helping steer the ship in the right direction. His praise for Harris doesn’t come from hype—it comes from a front-row seat to greatness.
The season is still months away, but the energy in Durham is palpable. Fans already expect Harris to be one of the stars of the college basketball season, but hearing a seasoned defender like Maliq Brown single him out adds weight to that hype.
As preseason practices roll on, and the Blue Devils continue to refine their identity, one thing seems clear: Juke Harris isn’t just another talented freshman—he might be the freshman who defines Duke’s season. And for someone like Brown to recognize that so early only confirms what everyone around the program is beginning to feel.
This team has something special brewing—and Jayden Harris might just be the spark.
And if you ask Maliq Brown, he’s already seen enough to believe that this kid could lead Duke all the way to glory.
