### Duke’s Loaded 2025 Recruiting Class: The First Four Commits Signal Another Dynasty in the Making
**By Grok Sports Desk**
*November 27, 2025 – Durham, N.C.*
DURHAM, N.C. – In the high-stakes world of college basketball recruiting, where one commitment can shift the balance of power, Duke University has once again asserted its dominance. Head coach Jon Scheyer, now in his fourth year at the helm, has quietly – and then not so quietly – assembled what is widely regarded as the nation’s top recruiting class for 2025. The crown jewel? The first four high school commitments, a quartet of elite talents who have not only inked their National Letters of Intent but also propelled the Blue Devils to the pinnacle of the 247Sports Composite Rankings.<grok:render card_id=”bd9d04″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> As the early signing period wrapped up earlier this month, these pledges – Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia, and Shelton Henderson – have Duke fans dreaming of another Final Four run, or perhaps something even grander.
This isn’t just any class. It’s the third No. 1 haul in Scheyer’s four seasons, following the star-studded 2022 and 2024 groups that produced NBA lottery picks like Paolo Banchero and Jalen Johnson.<grok:render card_id=”7affb4″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> With Duke fresh off a 35-4 season in 2024-25, including an ACC regular-season title and a Sweet 16 berth, the pressure is on for these freshmen to contribute immediately. But if their high school pedigrees are any indication, Scheyer’s blueprint of blending five-star scorers with versatile defenders is poised to keep Cameron Indoor Stadium rocking for years to come.
Let’s break down the first four commits, starting with the duo that’s already generating the most buzz: the Boozer brothers.
#### The Boozer Twins: A Family Legacy Reborn
When Cameron and Cayden Boozer announced their commitments to Duke on October 11, 2024, it felt like destiny aligning. The identical twins, sons of former Blue Devil All-American Carlos Boozer (2002 National Player of the Year), represent more than just talent – they embody a full-circle moment for one of Duke’s most storied families.<grok:render card_id=”e06084″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Carlos, who parlayed his Duke stardom into a 13-year NBA career and an Olympic gold medal, has long whispered about the program’s virtues to his boys. Now, at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-8 respectively, the Boozers are set to inject athleticism and basketball IQ into Scheyer’s frontcourt.
Cameron Boozer, ranked No. 2 overall in the 247Sports Composite and No. 3 in ESPN’s rankings, is the crown prince of this class.<grok:render card_id=”294c7c” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> A power forward from Columbus High School in Florida, the 17-year-old is a walking mismatch: a left-handed scorer with a silky mid-range game, explosive rim attacks, and a budding three-point stroke (38% from deep last season). He averaged 32.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game as a junior, earning McDonald’s All-American honors and the Gatorade National Player of the Year award at age 15.<grok:render card_id=”95f7b8″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Scouts rave about his passing vision for a big man – think a more athletic version of his father – and his ability to stretch defenses. “Cameron is a generational scorer who sees the floor like a guard,” said one AAU coach who faced him in the Adidas 3SSB circuit. But it’s his motor that sets him apart; the kid dives for loose balls like he’s chasing a family championship.
Cayden Boozer, his fraternal counterpart, slots in at No. 21 nationally (No. 17 in ESPN’s top 100).<grok:render card_id=”c20ca4″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> The younger twin by minutes, Cayden plays center with a guard’s touch. At 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, he’s a lob threat extraordinaire, finishing 72% of his shots at the rim in high school ball while dishing out 3.5 assists per game. His defensive versatility shines brightest: he can switch onto wings, anchor pick-and-rolls, and erase shots with a 7-foot wingspan. Together, the Boozers combined for over 50 points and 25 rebounds in key prep matchups, overwhelming opponents with their twin telepathy – those no-look passes and backdoor cuts are pure poetry.
Their commitment wasn’t a foregone conclusion. The twins visited Duke the weekend of August 30, 2024, mingling with current stars like freshman sensation Cooper Flagg at Wallace Wade Stadium during a football game.<grok:render card_id=”239b15″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Scheyer sealed the deal with a pitch centered on development: “We build around families like yours,” he told them, invoking Carlos’s legacy. Rivals like Miami and Kentucky lurked, but the pull of Cameron Indoor proved irresistible. “Duke feels like home,” Cameron posted on X after the announcement, a sentiment echoed across recruiting circles.<grok:render card_id=”8dc795″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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With the twins locked in, Duke’s class jumped to No. 2 in the rankings overnight. But Scheyer wasn’t done. Enter the next wave of blue-chippers.
#### Nikolas Khamenia: The Swiss Army Knife from California
On October 22, 2024, four-star forward Nikolas Khamenia became the third commit, rocketing Duke back to the No. 1 spot.<grok:render card_id=”708aad” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Ranked No. 19 overall by 247Sports, the 6-foot-8, 200-pound wing from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles chose the Blue Devils over a gauntlet including UCLA, Gonzaga, and Arkansas.<grok:render card_id=”746097″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Khamenia’s announcement on X – a simple blue devil emoji amid highlights of his dunk packages – sent shockwaves through the West Coast recruiting scene.
What makes Khamenia special? Versatility. He’s a three-level scorer who averaged 18.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game last season, shooting 42% from three on high volume. His handle allows him to create off the dribble like a guard, while his length disrupts passing lanes (1.5 steals per game). “Niko’s the guy who guards 1 through 4 and still drops 20,” said Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo. In AAU play with Strive for Greatness, Khamenia dazzled at Peach Jam, earning MVP nods for his all-around game. He’s the perfect glue for Scheyer’s motion offense, capable of playing the 3 or 4 and spacing the floor for the Boozer brothers inside.
Khamenia’s recruitment heated up after a spring visit to Durham, where he bonded with Scheyer over shared visions of NBA readiness. “Duke develops winners,” Khamenia told 247Sports post-commitment. “Coach Scheyer sees me as a leader.”<grok:render card_id=”4e0804″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> His pledge not only fortified the frontcourt but also showcased Duke’s national reach – pulling elite talent from the talent-rich California pipeline.
#### Shelton Henderson: The Texas Dream Fulfilled
The capstone arrived on November 2, 2024, when five-star small forward Shelton Henderson, ranked No. 15 overall (No. 30 in ESPN), picked Duke over Texas and Louisville.<grok:render card_id=”27887f” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> The 6-foot-6, 180-pound slasher from Duncanville High School in Texas announced on On3, calling Durham his “dream school since I started watching Kyrie Irving.”<grok:render card_id=”fbcdea” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Henderson’s commitment, the fourth in quick succession, cemented Duke’s stranglehold on the top spot.<grok:render card_id=”92a266″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Henderson is a bucket-getter, plain and simple. He torched nets for 22.4 points per game as a senior, including a 40-point explosion in the Texas state playoffs, where he shot 55% from the field and 40% from deep. His athleticism pops – explosive dunks in transition, quick-twitch pulls up off screens – but it’s his off-ball movement that screams NBA starter. Playing for PSA Cardinals in AAU, he averaged 4.2 assists and shot 50% inside the arc, drawing comparisons to a young Michael Porter Jr. for his scoring gravity.
Texas was the sentimental favorite, given his Longhorn roots, but Scheyer’s staff turned a September 27 visit into a love fest. Henderson raved about the facilities and the chance to play alongside the Boozers. “This class is stacked, and I want to be part of history,” he said.<grok:render card_id=”6f4851″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Now, with Henderson’s perimeter pop, Duke has a balanced attack: twin bigs for rebounding, Khamenia for switchability, and a sharpshooter to open the floor.
#### Scheyer’s Masterstroke: Building Around Brotherhood
These four didn’t commit in isolation. Scheyer’s strategy? Sell the brotherhood. The recruits have crisscrossed the country for group visits, FaceTiming during AAU tournaments, and hyping each other on X.<grok:render card_id=”c3af94″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> “We’re building a family that competes for titles,” Scheyer said at the signing ceremony on November 21.<grok:render card_id=”49a926″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> It’s worked: Duke’s average recruit rating is a stratospheric 0.998, per 247Sports, edging out Kansas and Kentucky.<grok:render card_id=”1ed3dd” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Of course, challenges loom. The one-and-done era means these freshmen must gel fast behind holdovers like sophomore Caleb Foster. And while the class is top-heavy, whispers of a fifth commit – five-star forward Nate Ament – persist.<grok:render card_id=”64a28e” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Ament, No. 4 nationally, visited Duke amid interest from Tennessee and Kentucky, and his reclassification from 2026 could add another layer.<grok:render card_id=”5a2925″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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As the 2025-26 season approaches, Duke’s first four commits aren’t just prospects – they’re the vanguard of a reloaded empire. In a landscape where NIL deals and transfer portals rule, Scheyer’s old-school recruiting prowess shines. Cameron Indoor will chant their names soon enough. The question isn’t if they’ll contend; it’s how many banners they’ll hang.
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