Predicting Each Duke Starter's Offseason Decision

Let's predict what each Duke starter will elect to do this offseason.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) dribbles the ball against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen 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

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff now flip the switch to offseason mode after a grueling end to the 2025-26 campaign in the Elite Eight at the hands of UConn.

However, this offseason is a bit different for the Blue Devils in the sense that they could get back a large chunk of their rotation, which usually isn't the case. Just last season, Scheyer and Co. lost their entire starting five to the NBA Draft.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game 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 has a chance to put together the best roster in college basketball, with several potential key returners and the No. 1 overall 2026 recruiting class it is bringing in.

Other guys off the bench also have intriguing decisions to make, but let's predict what each starter will elect to do this offseason.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) dribbles the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen 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

Caleb Foster - Return

Caleb Foster completely revamped his career as a junior after practically falling out of the rotation entirely throughout the 2024-25 season. This year, Foster posted career-highs in points per game (8.3), rebounds per game (3.5), assists per game (2.8), and field goal percentage (44.7), while shooting 39.8% from three on three attempts a contest.

There isn't a ton of 2026 NBA Draft buzz around the 6'5" guard's name, making a potential return to Duke that much more likely. If Scheyer can get his veteran point guard back for his senior year, that is a massive development in itself.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils Isaiah Evans (3) looses control of the ball in front of UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24), Huskies guard Silas Demary Jr. (2), and Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) 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

Isaiah Evans - NBA Draft

Evans is one of Duke's key pieces, facing a tough decision about returning to college or heading to the NBA. As of now, the sophomore projects as a first-round pick around selections 24-30.

In today's NIL era, Evans could make more money by returning to Durham. However, he looked NBA-ready this past season and projects as a reliable 3-and-D wing at 6'7".

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) shoots the ball past Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) in the second 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

As a sophomore, Evans averaged 15.0 points on 43.3% shooting from the field and 36.1% from three on 7.4 attempts a night. With a diversified scoring arsenal he flashed this season, he's got a chance to rise at the NBA Combine if he ultimately declares for the draft.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) controls the ball as UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) 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

Dame Sarr - Return

Sarr has a similar NBA archetype to Evans as a lengthy 3-and-D wing. However, Sarr is much further along defensively than he is with his three-point shot, and another year in college would do wonders for his future.

The Italian wing was one of the Blue Devils' most disruptive perimeter defenders, but could never get the three-ball to fall at a consistent clip. Sarr shot 44.8% from three in 15 Euro League games with FC Barcelona before coming to Duke, so the shot is there. However, putting together a consistent season could turn him into a lottery pick.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) dribbles the ball past Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen 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

As a rookie, Sarr averaged 6.4 points on 40.4% shooting from the floor and 32.3% from long range on 3.5 attempts.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) rebounds the ball against the UConn Huskies 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: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Cameron Boozer - NBA Draft

This one doesn't have to be talked about too much. Despite some speculation that Cameron Boozer could come back to Duke, those odds are about as slim as it gets. The National Player of the Year favorite is a consensus top-three 2026 NBA Draft prospect.

Boozer put together one of the most dominant freshman campaigns in recent college basketball memory with the Blue Devils, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals on 55.6% shooting from the field and 39.1% from three.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) huddles with players during a stoppage in play against the UConn Huskies in the second 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

In most other drafts, Boozer would be the top overall selection.

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

Patrick Ngongba - NBA Draft

Ngongba is in a very similar position to Evans. The 6' 11" center is projected to go in the late first round, but this NIL age could persuade the sophomore to return to Duke. However, this prediction lands him in the NBA, as it's somewhat hard to imagine his draft stock ever rising above what it is now.

Ngongba was arguably Duke's biggest breakout player this season, averaging 10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks a night on 60.6% shooting. He developed a new knack for passing and proved to be an elite defensive anchor for a championship-caliber team.

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21) warms up before the game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With his continued injury history, it feels like the safest decision for Ngongba to get to the NBA now while his stock is as high as it is.