Duke Basketball Facing Potential Leadership Void Next Season

Duke basketball veterans could be in short supply for Jon Scheyer's third batch of Blue Devils.

Duke basketball guard Jeremy Roach and head coach Jon Scheyer / Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a lot to be excited about going into next season for the Duke basketball program. The nation's No. 1 recruiting class, a six-deep bunch highlighted by forward Cooper Flagg. Third-year head coach Jon Scheyer perhaps improving another two rounds in the NCAA Tournament. Valuable experience for many of the younger players poised to have roles next year.

RELATED: Duke Staff Eyes One Lockdown Defender in Transfer Portal

But one thing is forming on the horizon that may be an issue for the 2024-25 Blue Devils. Veteran leadership on the floor nowadays seems to trump talent in March Madness every year, and Duke potentially faces a void in that area.

Senior guard and two-year captain Jeremy Roach does have a year of eligibility left, but news of his decision hasn’t surfaced yet.

Joining Roach in decisions to be made are sophomore Tyrese Proctor, at one time a projected first-rounder yet now not often appearing in either round of mock drafts, plus freshmen Jared McCain, Caleb Foster, TJ Power, and Sean Stewart. The prevailing thought is that Foster, Power, and Stewart will return, but that all depends on portal decisions.

McCain is the true wild card. It seems a lot of dominoes will fall with his decision. The 20-year-old sharpshooter is a projected first-round draft pick, but he’s recently admitted the intrigue of playing with Flagg next season.

Cooper Flagg is making his presence known. 👀🔥@Cooper_Flagg | @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/1WoX6ROubO

— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 3, 2024

If Roach, McCain, and Proctor seek professional opportunities instead of returning to Durham, then Duke basketball could be looking at then-senior guard Jaylen Blakes and a sophomore in Foster as the only experienced pieces in the backcourt. On that note, keep in mind Blakes hasn't gotten much run as a Blue Devil, and Foster missed this year’s postseason run due to a right ankle injury.

With sophomore forward Mark Mitchell already hitting the portal and the assumption that projected lottery pick Kyle Filipowski will forego his remaining two years of eligibility, Duke may lack impact players with real tournament experience next year.

Presumably, Scheyer will look to the portal to provide experience and grit to next year's lineup as Duke seeks a sixth banner.

However, there's something to be said about experience as a Blue Devil, something the staff cannot add via the transfer portal.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more Duke basketball news.