The news that every Duke fan was dreading came on Friday night when star forward Cameron Boozer declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and announced he would not be returning for another season of college basketball.
It was no surprise that the Boozer wouldn’t return for another season, but now that it’s official, it’s time to consider what Duke’s lineup might look like for next season.
Who Will Be on Duke This Season?
Although Cameron isn’t returning for another season, his twin brother Cayden has decided to come back for another year of college basketball, teaming up with soon-to-be senior guard Caleb Foster and junior center Patrick Ngongba II, who also decided to return to school.
Duke will be welcoming Wisconsin transfer guard John Blackwell and Drake forward Drew Scharnowski, while also bringing in two top 10 recruits from the 2026 high school class: guard Deron Rippey Jr. and forward Cameron Williams. On top of that, forward Dame Sarr has announced he will be returning to Duke for another season.
Even though Duke will be losing Boozer, its roster will be loaded next season.
Who Could Start in The Backcourt?
Duke will need to determine how it plans to handle its starting backcourt for the upcoming season. Foster, Boozer, Blackwell and Rippey all have a solid chance of stepping into a starting role, but only two are going to get the nod.
A starting lineup featuring Foster and Blackwell could be the best option, as Foster is capable of running the show while Blackwell is a player who can score from just about anywhere on the court.
Blackwell resembles Isaiah Evans during his time at Duke, showcasing the ability to create his own shot. If he can team up with Foster in the starting lineup, it could turn into a fantastic combination.
The next unit could feature Boozer and Rippey stepping in, with Boozer taking over Foster’s role. He plays more of your typical point guard role, getting everyone involved. Meanwhile, Rippey is another player who brings in a strong scoring presence.
It doesn’t matter who Duke puts in the lineup; it will be tough for any team to stop them.
Who Could Start in The Front Court?
The frontcourt doesn’t have many questions since Sarr should start at small forward, as he did this past season, and Ngongba will take over as the center. The big question is, what will the Blue Devils do at power forward?
There’s a possibility that Duke may not have a true freshman starting this season, which would be quite uncommon. However, Williams could be the one from this incoming class to step up and secure a starting position. On the other hand, the Blue Devils might opt for Scharnowski as the starter, with Williams coming off the bench.
Duke is facing an interesting challenge this season because of the great talent on its roster. While the starting lineup may seem like the most critical aspect, the real question is who will actually finish the games. It will be fascinating to see how Duke manages its closing lineup this year.
How Duke’s Lineup Might Shape Up Next Season Following Cameron Boozer’s Major Career Announcement