Depth won’t be Duke’s problem in 2026-27. Sorting out who actually gets on the floor might be.
Jon Scheyer has assembled what looks like one of the deepest rosters in college basketball, a group packed with returning pieces, transfer help, and high-end freshmen. The Blue Devils have size, length, and talent all over the court. The issue now is simple: there are only so many minutes to divide up.
Most of the lineup looks close to locked in, but two spots still feel like they’re up for grabs. One is at power forward, where the battle appears to be between Cameron Williams and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje. The other is the search for a reliable shooting spark off the bench behind starting small forward Dame Sarr.
The power forward race is the most interesting one because both freshmen bring real upside. Williams is a 7'0" forward with elite rebounding, rim protection, and a huge long-term ceiling.
He could even work his way into top-10 NBA Draft chatter for 2027. Boumtje Boumtje, though, brings a different kind of argument.
At 7'2" and 250 pounds, Boumtje Boumtje already looks built for major minutes, and the source of his case is his offensive polish. He has a proven three-point shot, can pass, and handles the ball well for a player his size. Even at 17 years old, the expectation here is that he should start immediately.
His summer résumé backs that up. At the FIBA U17 World Cup, Boumtje Boumtje averaged 19.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 59.8% from the field, 53.1% from three on 32 attempts, and 88% from the line on 25 attempts.
He also took home MVP honors there. He won MVP again at the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague Tournament with FC Barcelona, where he put up 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 stocks per game on 58% shooting from the field, 47% from three, and 79% at the stripe.
Williams is still going to matter a lot, no matter where he starts. But Boumtje Boumtje’s size and offensive feel make a strong case for him to be in the opening five.
The wing situation is a little different, but it matters just as much. Sarr is set to start at small forward, and Duke will be looking for someone behind him who can space the floor without sacrificing length. That’s where Sebastian Wilkins and Bryson Howard come in.
Wilkins is a redshirt freshman at 6'8". Howard is a 5-star freshman listed at 6'4", though his length and sturdy frame let him play like a wing. Howard has reportedly been making early moves for minutes, but both players are going to have to prove they can knock down outside shots if they want a real role.
Wilkins has the advantage of a year in the system. Howard has the buzz and the offensive upside. What Duke needs from that spot is straightforward: a dependable 3-and-D option who can give Sarr a breather without giving away too much size.
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For Duke, the bigger issue may be what Malones presence means in the talent chase going forward. Jon Scheyer has continued to prove himself as a strong recruiter, but the current NIL landscape rewards programs that can combine coaching pedigree with a clear path to winning and development, and North Carolina just added a coach who checks a lot of those boxes. It is the kind of hire that can change how the rivalry feels on the recruiting trail, even before the two teams meet on the court. [Read more 🡒]