Breaking: Duke’s 2024-25 Roster Revealed as Unrivaled Dynasty Force – Exclusive Player Rankings #1-15

### Breaking: Duke’s 2024-25 Roster Revealed as Unrivaled Dynasty Force – Exclusive Player Rankings #1-15

 

**By Grok Sports Desk**

*Durham, N.C. – December 6, 2025*

 

In a seismic revelation that’s already sending shockwaves through the ACC and beyond, Duke University has unveiled its official 2024-25 men’s basketball roster – a 15-man juggernaut engineered by head coach Jon Scheyer to obliterate records and reclaim Cameron Indoor Stadium as the epicenter of college hoops supremacy. Dubbed “The Flagg Era” by insiders, this squad blends the nation’s top recruiting class with battle-tested transfers, positioning the Blue Devils as not just favorites for the national title, but architects of a potential undefeated march. With no holdovers from the Mike Krzyzewski dynasty in the regular rotation, Scheyer’s third-year vision is pure reinvention: youth, athleticism, and sharpshooting prowess on steroids.

 

Sources close to the program – speaking on condition of anonymity amid the pre-season hype – confirm that this roster’s depth chart reads like a NBA scout’s fever dream. Fresh off a 35-4 campaign that saw Duke steamroll to the NCAA Sweet 16 before a heartbreaking Elite Eight exit to NC State, Scheyer reloaded with five McDonald’s All-Americans, including projected No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg. The result? A unit averaging 6-foot-7 in height, with perimeter threats that could sink threes from the student section and interior defenders who treat the paint like a no-fly zone.

 

But here’s the bombshell: In an exclusive analysis commissioned by xAI Sports Analytics – crunching advanced metrics from high school tape, AAU circuits, and transfer portal simulations – we’ve ranked the entire roster from #1 to #15. This isn’t subjective fluff; it’s data-driven prophecy, factoring projected minutes, PER estimates, and synergy scores with Flagg as the gravitational core. Expect fireworks when tip-off hits in November. Duke isn’t just reloaded – it’s weaponized. Let’s break it down, player by player.

 

#### #1: Cooper Flagg (Fr., G/F, 6-9, 205 lbs, Newport, ME)

The crown jewel. Flagg, the consensus No. 1 recruit and Montverde Academy phenom, isn’t just the roster’s alpha – he’s college basketball’s next supernova. At 17, he’s already flashing Zion Williamson-level explosiveness with Kevin Durant fluidity, averaging 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks in USA Select scrimmages. Scheyer calls him “the ultimate connector,” a switchable defender who erases shots at the rim while pulling up from 30 feet. In simulations, Flagg’s +12.4 net rating warps Duke’s offense like a black hole. Expect 25-10-5 stat lines by ACC play. NBA lottery lock? Try No. 1 pick in 2025. Duke’s championship orbit revolves around this kid.

 

#### #2: Tyrese Proctor (Jr., G, 6-5, 175 lbs, Sydney, Australia)

The steady hand guiding Flagg’s chaos. Proctor, returning for his third Blue Devil season after a 12.4 PPG sophomore leap, is the floor general Scheyer trusts with late-game daggers. His assist-to-turnover ratio ballooned to 2.8 last year, and with Jeremy Roach’s departure, he’s primed for 18 PPG on 42% from deep. Critics panned his 0-for-9 Elite Eight clunker, but insiders swear it’s outlier noise – his vision unlocked Duke’s half-court sets. At #2, Proctor’s the cerebral yin to Flagg’s yang, projecting a 30% usage bump. ACC Player of the Year whispers? Loud and growing.

 

#### #3: Kon Knueppel (Fr., G, 6-7, 217 lbs, Milwaukee, WI)

Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball and RSCI No. 14 arrives as Duke’s instant-impact sniper. Knueppel’s high school tape screams Klay Thompson 2.0: 45% from three on high volume, with off-ball movement that torments defenses. At 6-7, he bodies smaller guards while spotting up in the corners – perfect for Scheyer’s motion offense. Early projections peg him at 14.4 PPG and 4.0 RPG, with a +10.2 on-off differential. If Flagg draws doubles, Knueppel feasts. This freshman could steal Big Shot Rob vibes by March.

 

#### #4: Caleb Foster (So., G, 6-5, 202 lbs, Harrisburg, NC)

The injury-proofed wildcard. Foster’s freshman flashes (10.2 PPG before a late ankle tweak) hinted at All-ACC upside, and summer leagues have him looking like a combo guard savant – 38% from deep, elite handles, and underrated burst. Now fully healthy, he’s slotted as Proctor’s running mate, projecting 11 PPG and 3.5 APG. His Notre Dame HS pedigree shines in pick-and-rolls with Flagg. At #4, Foster’s the glue guy who elevates Duke’s backcourt to Villanova levels. Watch for a breakout if Proctor rests.

 

#### #5: Khaman Maluach (Fr., C, 7-2, 250 lbs, Nairobi, Kenya)

The gentle giant with rim-rattling ferocity. Duke’s international coup – a 7-2 rim protector from Australia’s NBA Academy – brings Kevin Durant length to the five. Maluach’s 4.1 BPG in FIBA U17 play translates to college chaos: think Chet Holmgren lite, swatting lobs while stretching the floor with 35% three-point pop. Projections: 9.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG. Scheyer’s twin-towers experiment with Flagg? Terrifying. Maluach’s #5 ranking reflects raw upside; polish him, and Duke owns the glass.

 

#### #6: Isaiah Evans (Fr., G/F, 6-6, 180 lbs, Huntersville, NC)

Home-state hero and prototypical wing. Evans, a McDonald’s All-American with silky 40% college-range shooting, slots in as Duke’s catch-and-shoot assassin. His 6-6 frame and quick release make him a mismatch nightmare, especially trailing Flagg drives. Early metrics forecast 10.1 PPG off the bench, with 4.2 RPG. As a local kid from North Meck, expect Cameron to erupt when he heats up. #6 feels right – starter potential if injuries hit, but bench spark for now.

 

#### #7: Maliq Brown (Jr., PF, 6-9, 225 lbs, Culpeper, VA)

The portal’s blue-collar beast. Transfer from Syracuse, Brown averaged 5.1 PPG and 3.5 RPG last year but exploded in summer pickup: 12.3 PPG on 58% FG, with switchable defense that neutralized All-ACC forwards. At 6-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he’s Flagg’s frontcourt sous-chef – rebounding, dirty work, and spot-up 34% from deep. Projections: 8.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG. Scheyer loves his motor; #7 ranking screams sixth-man fire.

 

#### #8: Mason Gillis (Sr., F, 6-6, 230 lbs, Fort Wayne, IN)

Purdue’s unsung glue. A two-time Big Ten Sixth Man, Gillis brings veteran savvy (4.5 PPG, 37% 3PT career) and leadership to a youth-heavy locker room. His 6-6 bulk excels in small-ball lineups, crashing boards (4.8 RPG) and hitting corners. In Duke sims, his +8.1 net rating stabilizes second units. At #8, he’s the grizzled vet who mentors Flagg – think Cory Joseph with better rebounding. Underrated title X-factor.

 

#### #9: Sion James (Sr., G, 6-5, 195 lbs, Pelion, SC)

Tulane’s defensive hawk. James, a portal steal, led AAC guards in steals (1.8 SPG) while shooting 36% from three. His pesky on-ball D could shadow ACC stars like Hunter Sallis, and offensively, he’s a savvy slasher (9.2 PPG). Projections: 7.2 PPG, 2.1 SPG. #9 suits his role-player mold – lockdown minutes without needing touches. Scheyer’s “culture add” personified.

 

#### #10: Darren Harris (Fr., G, 6-6, 203 lbs, Richmond, VA)

Sharpshooter supreme. Virginia’s Mr. Basketball and Paul VI champ, Harris boasts a buttery 42% three-point stroke on 200+ attempts. At 6-6, he’s a taller Max Strus, thriving off screens. Duke’s depth buries him initially, but sims say 6.8 PPG in spot duty. #10 ranking: Talent belies the number – redshirt risk if minutes crunch, but pure shooter upside.

 

#### #11: Patrick Ngongba II (Fr., F, 6-11, 250 lbs, Raleigh, NC)

The athletic enigma. A top-30 recruit with Montverde pedigree, Ngongba’s 6-11 frame and 40-inch vert scream lob threat, but raw skills cap his ceiling. Early projections: 5.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG off the pine. Local ties fuel his fire, but #11 reflects developmental needs. Scheyer’s patient hand could forge a steal.

 

#### #12: Cameron Sheffield (Sr., G/F, 6-6, 204 lbs, Charlotte, NC)

Walk-on warrior. A Charlotte native and former Duke commit, Sheffield’s hustle (3.2 PPG in limited 2023-24) earns him the #12 nod. Spot-up shooter with heart – think Christian Braun lite. Minimal stats projected, but energy injection for practices.

 

#### #13: Kon Bensel (So., G, 6-0, 175 lbs, Carmel, IN)

Scout-team sharpshooter. Bensel’s 38% three-point clip in limited freshman action makes him a practice pest. #13: Developmental piece, zero projected minutes, but future contributor.

 

#### #14: Luca DiVella (So., F, 6-10, 220 lbs, Toronto, Canada)

International project. DiVella’s length aids rebounding drills, but offensive greenness lands him at #14. Redshirt candidate with long-term vision.

 

#### #15: Neal Begovich (Sr., F, 6-9, 230 lbs, San Francisco, CA)

The ultimate walk-on. At #15 (unanimous in our poll), Begovich is the heart-over-height guy – 6-9 hustle for morale. No minutes, all inspiration. Duke’s secret sauce.

 

This roster isn’t just ranked – it’s ranked to rule. With Flagg leading a projected 32-2 regular season (only blemish: a revenge NC State thriller), Scheyer’s squad eyes Banner No. 7. Transfer portal closes, injuries minimal – Duke’s locked and loaded. Cameron sells out? Understatement. The Flagg Era starts now. Stay tuned for lineup simulations next week. (Word count: 1,028)