Duke’s 2025 NBA Draft push stands out for its blend of headline recruits and remarkable player development. Cooper Flagg’s standout performances, such as his explosive second halves and emotional on-court moments, have solidified his status as a top prospect. The Blue Devils also showcase depth, with players like Tyrese Proctor showing resilience through injuries, and Kon Knueppel and Sion James stepping up in big games.
The program’s recruiting remains strong, highlighted by the commitments of Cameron Boozer and Sebastian Wilkins, ensuring Duke keeps reloading with NBA-ready talent. The ACC Tournament victories over UNC and Louisville without Flagg proved that Duke’s roster extends well beyond its stars, pointing to a deep, cohesive team driving NBA Draft momentum.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) celebrates with Khaman Maluach (9) and Kon Knueppel (7) after slamming in two during the second half of Duke’s 76-47 victory over Pitt at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 1: COOPER FLAGG ... ANGRY? ACC TEAMS WON’T LIKE THE DUKE BASKETBALL STAR WHEN HE’S ANGRY
Cooper Flagg rocked the Cameron Indoor Stadium rims with a pair of dunks that drew Zion Williamson comparisons from Duke coach Jon Scheyer. | Published January 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Steve Wiseman
Duke’s Kon Knueppel (7) celebrates with Cooper Flagg (2) after Flagg slammed in two during the second half of Duke’s 74-64 victory over N.C. State at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 2: PRECARIOUSLY PERFECT: 3 TAKEAWAYS FROM DUKE BASKETBALL’S WIN OVER TRIANGLE RIVAL NC STATE
Hot shooting early from N.C. State put a scare into the Blue Devils, but No. 2 Duke pulled away in the game’s final minutes for a home win over the Wolfpack to remain perfect in ACC play. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Steve Wiseman Jadyn Watson-Fisher
Duke’s Tyrese Proctor warms up before the Blue Devils game against Wake Forest at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Monday, March 3, 2025. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 3: DUKE BASKETBALL GETS GOOD INJURY NEWS AS BLUE DEVILS CLOSE HOME SEASON WITH WIN
Duke played without Tyrese Proctor and Maliq Brown when it hammered Florida State on Saturday night. The injury list is shrinking as the regular season is coming to a close. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Steve Wiseman
Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) blocks the shot by North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) during Duke’s 74-71 victory over UNC in the semifinals of the 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 14, 2025. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 4: DUKE’S WIN OVER UNC PROVES IT IS MORE THAN COOPER FLAGG, AS BLUE DEVILS KNEW ALL ALONG
Cooper Flagg didn’t start for the first time of the season on Friday. The result is the Blue Devils affirmed who they know they are. | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Zietlow
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson huddles with his team during their open practice on Friday, April 4, 2025 during the NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. By Robert Willett
NO. 5: OLD AND TOUGH VS. YOUNG AND CONFIDENT: HOUSTON-DUKE A STARK CONTRAST IN FINAL FOUR
Which roster building process will prove better Saturday night at the Final Four? Duke’s reliance on freshman superstars, or Houston’s deliberate approach to get old and stay old? | Published April 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Steve Wiseman
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer laughs with associate head coach Chris Carrawell during Duke’s open practice at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, March 20, 2025. The Blue Devils will face Mount St. Mary’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday. By Ethan Hyman
NO. 6: DUKE BASKETBALL STAYS BUSY AS JON SCHEYER LANDS ANOTHER TOP BLUE DEVILS RECRUIT
The highly rated forward will join the Blue Devils after choosing Duke over Maryland in the recruiting process. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Staff Report
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.