Duke is currently working to determine which players will be on its roster when the 2026-27 season kicks off in November. While there’s still a while to go before the first regular season game, it’s the perfect time to take a look at which players might not be on the squad by the time the Blue Devils step onto the court again.
Duke Players Who Are For Sure Gone
The Blue Devils will have a few players missing from the roster next season, regardless of the circumstances. Center Maliq Brown, who spent two seasons with the Blue Devils after transferring from Syracuse, completed his final season of college eligibility along with Cameron Sheffield, who played two seasons at Duke after playing at Rice for three years.
Players Who Likely Will Head to The NBA
The biggest concern for Duke at the moment is which players will enter the NBA draft or pursue the draft process. As of Thursday, no underclassmen have declared for the draft, but there are likely to be some announcements in the coming days.
GettyCameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Star forward Cameron Boozer is likely to declare for the draft, as he is expected to be a top-five pick. But could more players follow? Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans emerged as an elite scorer this season, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t enter the draft.
On The Bubble to Return, Transfer or Head to the NBA
Center Patrick Ngongba II faces a significant decision regarding whether to return to Duke or enter the NBA draft. Currently, Ngongba is projected to be a late first-round to early second-round pick. However, if he opts to go back to school, he could potentially improve his draft stock for the 2027 draft. With two years of eligibility remaining, it would be wise for Ngongba to consider spending another year in college to further develop his skills.
Freshman forward Dame Sarr always believed he would be a one-and-done player, but now there’s a real chance he might stay at Duke for another season. Throughout the year, Sarr struggled to establish himself as a scoring threat, and if he opts to enter the draft, he could very well find himself projected as a second-round pick.
GettyCaleb Foster of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals.
Caleb Foster is unlikely to head to the NBA, and he may not return to Duke for his senior season either. Foster played a remarkable role for the Blue Devils this year, but if he wants to continue his college basketball career, he might have to do it elsewhere. The Blue Devils should be able to welcome back promising guard Cayden Boozer for another season, and they are bringing in one of the top guards from the 2026 high school class, Deron Rippey Jr., which could leave Foster without a job.
Players Who Have Entered The Transfer Portal
As of Thursday, the Blue Devils have witnessed two players enter the transfer portal: guard Darren Harris and forward Nikolas Khamenia. Both are young talents, with Harris finishing up his sophomore season and Khamenia wrapping up his freshman year. They should have no trouble finding a new program where they can step into starting roles next season.
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