Two former Duke standouts are sitting on top of the NBA’s small forward rankings heading into the new season, with Jayson Tatum at No. 1 and Cooper Flagg right behind him at No. 2 in HoopsHype’s preseason list.
That gives the Blue Devils a clear grip on the position early in the year. Four former Duke players landed in the top 20 overall, with Brandon Ingram checking in at No. 9 and RJ Barrett at No. 18.
Flagg’s rise to No. 2 comes after a rookie season that more than matched the hype. The reigning Rookie of the Year put up 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, then turned it up even more over the final three months, averaging 23.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Dallas handed him the keys early in a transition season after the Luka Doncic trade, and with Kyrie Irving out for the year and Anthony Davis limited to 20 games before being dealt to the Washington Wizards, Flagg became the Mavericks’ clear No. 1 option on offense.
That kind of load brought plenty of production, but it also made him the focal point for opposing defenses. Now the setup should look different.
Irving is set to return, and Dallas has added role players like Zaccharie Risacher, Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser. With more help around him, Flagg should not have to shoulder quite as much, which could open the door for another jump in his second season.
Tatum holds the top spot despite playing only 16 games last season while coming back from the torn Achilles he suffered in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals. Even in that limited stretch, plus the Celtics’ first-round matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, he showed he still belongs in the league’s highest tier at the position. He averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the regular season, then bumped that to 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the playoffs.
The more Tatum played, the more he looked like the same elite forward who had already established himself before the injury. This season brings a different challenge, though, after Boston moved on from 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown during the offseason. Brown and Tatum spent their entire NBA careers together, and his departure leaves Tatum carrying even more for a Celtics team trying to stay in the mix with a retooled roster.
In Other News...
Duke Just Showed Why Blue Devils Fans Should Feel Real Hope
After a rough opener, Duke found a much cleaner road formula at Illinois, and it looked a lot more like the kind of team Blue Devils fans had been hoping to see. Walker Eget settled in quickly and guided the offense with a sharper rhythm, while Nate Sheppard kept the pressure on the Illini with big plays as Duke built enough separation to survive a tight finish.
The real difference, though, came when the game tightened in the second half. Dukes defense delivered when it mattered most, coming up with key stops and giving the offense just enough room to hold on in a 31-27 win that should carry real weight for a program trying to show it can travel, respond and win in a difficult spot. [Read more 🡒]
Manny Diaz Has Duke Looking Like More Than An Early Surprise
Dukes fast start has been built on a little bit of everything Manny Diaz was hoping to install when he took over, from a sharper defense to an offense that looks more comfortable each week. The Blue Devils opened 2-0 with wins over Tulane and Illinois, a nice early sign for a team that had to replace key pieces through the Transfer Portal and entered the season with modest outside expectations.
The more encouraging part for Duke is how the pieces are starting to fit together. Walker Eget gave the offense steadiness after an uneven opening outing, Nate Sheppard has given the backfield a useful spark, and the overall operation has looked far more complete than a typical September surprise. Early days still come with a warning label, but this group has already shown it can do more than just hang around in games, and that has changed the conversation around what Diaz can build in Durham. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Just Delivered The Kind Of Win That Changes Expectations
The trip to Illinois gave Duke football the kind of result it has been searching for, a road win that should carry real weight in a season still taking shape. The Blue Devils beat the Illini 31-27, and it came with a more polished offensive showing than the one they had the week before, as quarterback Walker Eget managed the game efficiently and the passing attack found enough rhythm to keep the chains moving.
Eget finished 15 of 21 for 206 yards and three touchdowns, while Nate Sheppard provided the kind of all-purpose production that can change a game plan, ripping off big runs and staying active as a receiver out of the backfield. Duke also got contributions from multiple pass-catchers, a sign the offense is starting to spread itself around in ways that make it harder to key on one threat, even if the bigger concern from Saturday is something the staff will have to monitor closely. [Read more 🡒]