Duke’s new-look backcourt is already giving Jon Scheyer a reason to smile.
The Blue Devils’ offseason work has put them in position to roll out one of the country’s best guard groups in 2026-27, and the early signs are promising. Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell and five-star freshman Deron Rippey Jr. have been training together in Los Angeles this summer at UCLA, and the connection between the two is already showing up in workout clips.
Blackwell was one of the most coveted names in the Transfer Portal, and Scheyer landed him after a pitch that clearly resonated. That was a major pickup for Duke, adding a guard who can create offense and take over when possessions get messy. Last season at Wisconsin, Blackwell averaged 19 points per game before making the move to Durham.
Rippey gives Duke another high-end piece. The five-star guard arrives as one of the top backcourt prospects in the high school class, and his early work with Blackwell suggests the Blue Devils may not need much time to get that duo synced up.
The two newcomers have also already spent time in Durham working, but they’re using the final stretch of summer to keep building before school starts and the full grind of the 2026-27 season begins.
For Duke, the bigger picture is impossible to miss. Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer are both back, giving Scheyer three experienced guards in Blackwell, Foster, and Boozer. Rippey adds a burst of energy off the bench, the kind of spark that can swing a game in a hurry.
That matters for a program that has had its share of March frustration. Duke’s national title drought will reach 12 years once next year’s NCAA Tournament arrives, and after two straight seasons of ugly exits in the Big Dance, the Blue Devils know the backcourt has to hold up.
Scheyer has assembled another deep roster, and if the chemistry between Blackwell and Rippey is any indication, the locker room may be coming together just as quickly as the rotation.
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For Scheyer, that standard is part of what has helped Duke stay among the sports upper tier, with multiple Elite Eight trips and a Final Four already on the rsum during his tenure. He also pointed to the frustration of bad losses as a reminder that the bar in Durham remains high, and the next step is still waiting to be taken. [Read more 🡒]
Duke May Need Nate Sheppard More Than Ever This Season
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The hope in Durham is that Sheppard does not have to do everything alone. Rutgers transfer CJ Campbell gives Duke another backfield option and some added versatility as a receiver, which could help the Blue Devils stay balanced if the passing game needs time to settle in. Still, the bigger question is how much of the load Sheppard can carry if defenses know the ball is coming his way, and whether Duke can build enough around him to keep the offense from leaning too heavily on one player. [Read more 🡒]