The college basketball transfer portal closed Wednesday, leaving players with no option to leave their current schools and immediately play elsewhere.
After losing to North Carolina State in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Duke basketball had seven players by the May 1 deadline: Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell, Sean Stewart, TJ Power, Jalen Blakes, Christian Reeves and Jaden Shutt. A number of players participated. Transfer portal.
Two starters, Jared McCain and Kyle Filipovski, have decided to enter the 2024 NBA Draft.
As of Wednesday, Syracuse transfer Malik Brown and Purdue transfer Mason Gillis were added via the portal. Other players could join the Blue Devils as spring turns to summer.
Entering his third season as head coach, John Scheyer currently has three scholarships left on the roster. He joins returning guards Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster in a six-player recruiting class headlined by Cooper Flagg.
Duke University is one of the favorites to win the 2025 national championship. With the transfer portal closed, here are five thoughts on the current state of Duke Basketball's 2024-25 roster and what's next for the Blue Devils.
Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster are veterans returning to Duke
With the departures of Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell, Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski, guards Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster are Duke's veteran returnees. Proctor enters his junior season as the Blue Devils' primary facilitator and shooting 35.2 percent from 3-point range. Foster began to attract attention as a scorer, defender, and facilitator, but his season was cut short by a foot injury. If both players can stay healthy, Duke could survive losing a veteran like Roach in the backcourt.
Cooper Flagg is the Blue Devils' newest star freshman
Projected to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg continues to live up to the hype as one of the best rookies in recent years. After a successful final season with Montverde Academy, Flagg was featured at the All-Star Showcase at the McDonald's All-American, Nike Hoop Summit, and Jordan Brand Classic. His energy is matched by his talent, a dangerous combination for the rest of the country.
Duke's defense could be elite with Flagg and Carman Maruaha.
Joining Flagg in the frontcourt will be fellow five-star rookie and 7-foot-2 center Carman Maluha, who is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Duke's lack of rim protection hindered their championship chances last season, but the Blue Devils won't have that problem in 2024-25. Flagg and Maruach could be the best defensive duo in the country.
Darren Harris, Isaiah Evans and Con Knuppel provide the scoring punch
It's easy to focus on Flagg and Maluach because of their immense talent and NBA potential, but three more freshmen could make waves as scorers for the Blue Devils. Darren Harris was a sharpshooter from Virginia, Isiah Evans was a bucket-picking wing from Huntersville, and Con Knuppel left Wisconsin as one of the state's all-time leading scorers. Duke will have no shortage of perimeter options next season.
Malik Brown and Mason Gillis have joined the Blue Devils, but what's next out of the transfer portal?
The departure of young players from the program opens the door for Scheyer to bring in some veteran players. With the addition of Brown, Duke gains an All-ACC versatile defender and efficient scorer. With the addition of Gillis, the Blue Devils now have a reliable 3-point shooter and the Big Ten's reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Both are expected to be great complementary items next season.
As for what else is on the cards for Duke, guards the Blue Devils are reportedly targeting in the portal include Miami transfer Uga Poplar and Seton Hall transfer Kadary Richmond. ing. Both would provide Duke with another veteran option on the perimeter.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at:rbaxley@fayobserver.com Or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.