Duke 5-Star Newcomers Preview Season for Fans

It's been just a few days since the Duke basketball program crumbled in the Elite Eight to 2-seed UConn, suffering arguably the worst collapse in the history of the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff now pivot to the offseason.

This will be a bit of a different offseason for Scheyer and Co. than the staff is typically used to, as several key pieces from this year's squad face very intriguing decisions about returning to Duke, declaring for the NBA Draft, or hitting the transfer portal.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer yells down court Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Players such as Isaiah Evans, Patrick Ngongba, Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, and Nik Khamenia all have a few routes they can take, and following their offseason decisions will pay major dividends for next year's Blue Devils squad.

Beyond that, Scheyer is bringing in the No. 1 overall 2026 recruiting class, the third straight season Duke has boasted the top-ranked class.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21) dribbles during a practice session ahead of the east regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Duke Bringing In Three 5-Star Recruits

That class is headlined by 5-stars Cameron Williams (No. 2 overall player according to 247Sports 2026 Composite Rankings), Deron Rippey Jr. (No. 1 point guard), and Bryson Howard (No. 12 overall player).

Duke is also bringing in Canadian 4-star seven-footer Maxime Meyer.

West forward Cameron Williams (1) drives into the lane as Easts guard Toni Bryant (14) defends during the McDonald's All-American boys high school basketball game featuring all of the top seniors in the country at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, on March 31, 2026. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Howard was arguably the biggest snub from the McDonald's All-American Game, but both Rippey and Williams were selected.

West forward Cameron Williams (1) breaks down court during the McDonald's All-American boys high school basketball game featuring all of the top seniors in the country at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, on March 31, 2026. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cameron Williams Previews Next Year

Ahead of the McDonald's All-American Game, Williams previewed what Duke fans can expect next season.

"To come in there with the right mindset," Williams said. "Stay working. Me and [Deron] Rippey are going to do our job when we get there. We're going to listen to the coaches, and our top priority is just going to win and get a National Championship."

West forward Cameron Williams defends a shot by East guard Deron Rippey Jr. (0) during the McDonald's All-American boys high school basketball game featuring all of the top seniors in the country at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, on March 31, 2026. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Both Williams and Rippey will likely be starters from day one in Durham, as Williams will fill the shoes of Cameron Boozer, this season's National Player of the Year favorite.

Although the St. Mary's (AZ) product is a totally different player than Boozer, he has all the long-term tools to dominate at the next level with the elite developers of talent that Scheyer and his crew are.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) dribbles the ball as UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) defends in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

The Duke backcourt could potentially be very crowded if Foster and Cayden Boozer elect to return. It's feasible to assume that at least one of the two will, and if both elect to come back, someone's minutes have to give.

It's an issue the Duke program isn't necessarily used to dealing with, but it's a pretty good problem to have.