Updated Duke Basketball Roster Breakdown: Key Additions, Departures, and Expectations for Jon Scheyer’s Critical Fourth Season at the Helm

The Duke Blue Devils enter the 2025-26 college basketball season with a refreshed and retooled roster as head coach Jon Scheyer embarks on his pivotal fourth year in charge of one of the sport’s most storied programs. After three seasons of solid success, including deep NCAA Tournament runs and high-profile recruiting wins, expectations are sky-high in Durham for this next chapter. With the transfer portal continuing to reshape the college basketball landscape, Scheyer and his staff have actively rebuilt the roster through a mix of returning talent, top-tier incoming freshmen, and key transfers who are expected to make an immediate impact.

Following the departure of several veteran contributors, including Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach, the Blue Devils faced the offseason with pressing needs in both the frontcourt and backcourt. Filipowski, a cornerstone of Scheyer’s first two rosters, declared for the NBA Draft after a productive sophomore campaign that reaffirmed his status as one of college basketball’s most versatile big men. Roach, meanwhile, leaves a significant leadership void, having served as a calming presence and floor general through the coaching transition and the competitive rigors of ACC play. His decision to pursue professional opportunities necessitated a clear recalibration at the point guard position.

To address these losses, Duke dipped aggressively into the transfer market and was rewarded with several high-profile additions. Chief among them is former UConn guard Hassan Diarra, who brings both championship pedigree and the kind of two-way toughness that Scheyer has increasingly prioritized. Diarra, known for his perimeter defense and timely shot-making, projects as a plug-and-play option who can help anchor a backcourt that otherwise skews young and unproven. His ability to defend multiple positions and serve as a secondary ball-handler adds layers to Scheyer’s rotation, especially in close, late-game situations.

Joining Diarra in the transfer ranks is stretch forward Mason Gillis from Purdue, a player whose toughness, rebounding, and perimeter shooting could be invaluable in a reconfigured frontcourt. Gillis brings Big Ten experience and a strong understanding of floor spacing—both crucial as Duke aims to maintain offensive versatility while shoring up its interior defense. Gillis isn’t a traditional low-post scorer, but his ability to hit shots from deep and hold his own defensively should provide lineup flexibility and a veteran counterbalance to the talented underclassmen surrounding him.

Duke also secured a major addition in the form of sharpshooting wing TJ Power, who redshirted last season to develop physically and refine his skill set. Power’s blend of size, shooting, and basketball IQ has long intrigued the Duke staff, and this season could mark his breakout. At 6-foot-8, he offers a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, capable of sliding between the three and four spots and contributing on both ends of the floor. His development will be key in determining whether this team reaches its championship ceiling.

Returning to lead the Blue Devils is sophomore standout Jared McCain, whose freshman year established him as one of the most exciting young guards in the country. McCain averaged double digits and routinely stepped up in big moments, showing both scoring instincts and surprising maturity under pressure. Now with a year under his belt and greater responsibilities in the absence of Roach, McCain is expected to take another leap—both as a primary offensive option and as a locker room leader. His ability to create off the dribble, shoot from deep, and facilitate for teammates makes him the likely engine of Scheyer’s offense.

Another vital returner is Caleb Foster, whose flashes of brilliance last season were occasionally obscured by injuries and inconsistency. Now fully healthy and with an offseason of growth behind him, Foster enters his sophomore year with renewed confidence. His size and length at the guard spot offer Scheyer the flexibility to run multiple ball-handlers on the floor simultaneously. Foster’s defensive upside is particularly intriguing, as he showed signs of being able to guard both guard spots effectively—a trait that will be crucial given the athleticism of Duke’s early non-conference schedule and the intensity of ACC play.

Up front, sophomore Sean Stewart returns to compete for a starting role after a freshman season defined largely by energy plays and hustle. While his offensive game remains a work in progress, Stewart’s rebounding, shot-blocking, and effort make him an invaluable piece in Duke’s defensive schemes. If he can develop a more consistent face-up jumper or post move, he could emerge as a double-double threat and a game-changer in tight matchups. His physicality will also be critical when battling the likes of North Carolina and Virginia, both of which return seasoned frontcourts.

Newcomers from Duke’s 2025 recruiting class add further intrigue. Headlining the group is five-star wing Isaiah Evans, a scoring dynamo from North Carolina who brings elite athleticism, a lightning-quick first step, and a scorer’s mentality. Evans is expected to contribute immediately, likely filling a role similar to what Dariq Whitehead was projected to do before injuries slowed his development. Evans thrives in transition and has shown signs of being a capable perimeter shooter, though consistency and defensive attention will determine how quickly he acclimates to the college game.

Also joining the fold is Kon Knueppel, a versatile 6-foot-6 guard out of Wisconsin whose silky shooting stroke and high basketball IQ should translate well to the college level. Knueppel doesn’t blow defenders away with raw athleticism, but his footwork, patience, and off-ball movement give him a mature game that’s rare among incoming freshmen. Scheyer has spoken highly of his poise and team-first mentality—both qualities that should earn him early minutes. Depending on how the rotation shakes out, Knueppel could become a valuable weapon off the bench or even force his way into the starting lineup if his defensive effort meets expectations.

The third freshman expected to make an impact is center Khaman Maluach, a late reclassification who brings raw talent and sky-high upside to the Blue Devils’ frontcourt. At 7-foot-1, Maluach offers elite rim protection and rebounding potential, though his offensive game is still developing. With the departures of Filipowski and Ryan Young, Maluach may be thrust into meaningful minutes earlier than anticipated. His shot-blocking alone could make him a disruptive presence, especially if paired with a stretch four like Gillis or Power who can open the lane offensively.

Duke also welcomes back forward Mark Mitchell, whose status over the summer was briefly uncertain as he explored professional options. Ultimately, Mitchell chose to return, giving the Blue Devils a two-way wing with size and experience. His ability to guard multiple positions, rebound effectively, and score opportunistically makes him a critical glue guy. Mitchell has often been the unsung hero of Duke’s biggest wins, and his leadership and willingness to do the dirty work will be vital on a team blending youth with expectations.

As the Blue Devils head into preseason training, the focus will be on meshing these various parts into a coherent, high-level rotation capable of competing for both ACC supremacy and national relevance. The backcourt appears deeper than in recent years, with McCain, Foster, Diarra, and Knueppel forming a balanced unit that combines shooting, ball-handling, and defensive potential. The frontcourt, while more uncertain, has a wealth of options: Mitchell’s experience, Gillis’ toughness, Stewart’s motor, and Maluach’s raw talent form a foundation that, if properly harnessed, can compete with the best in the nation.

Jon Scheyer’s challenge in year four will be managing egos, maintaining defensive intensity, and getting his young players to buy into team concepts early. The blueprint for a championship run is there—depth, experience, high-end talent, and a mix of old and new voices. But execution, health, and in-game adjustments will determine whether Duke meets its lofty goals or ends up in the same cycle of “what-ifs” that have characterized the post-Krzyzewski era thus far.

With a non-conference schedule that includes blue-blood matchups and neutral-site showcases, Scheyer’s group won’t have much of a grace period. Early chemistry and identity formation will be key. But with this roster, Duke fans can justifiably dream big. The potential for a Final Four run is real, and perhaps more importantly, the foundation laid this offseason could mark the beginning of a new golden age under Scheyer’s leadership.

There’s no doubting the talent on hand. Now it’s time to see if that talent can coalesce into something even greater. For Duke Basketball in 2025-26, the journey begins with belief—but will end, as always, with results.