Blue Devil Country

Interesting Prediction of Duke Basketball Starting Lineup

A national insider checked out a Duke basketball practice before forecasting starters for Jon Scheyer's third season at the helm.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard Caleb Foster and head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball guard Caleb Foster and head coach Jon Scheyer / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
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Last week, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein watched the 2024-25 Duke basketball players compete in five-on-five intrasquad action in the Coach K Center practice facility. And the projected starting five he posted afterward includes one notably surprising choice in the form of a freshman wing getting the nod at the two-spot over a sophomore guard with starting experience in Durham.

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Here are Rothstein's projected Blue Devil starters under third-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer:

  • Junior guard Tyrese Proctor
  • Freshman guard/forward Kon Knueppel
  • Freshman guard/forward Cooper Flagg
  • Graduate forward Mason Gillis
  • Freshman center Khaman Maluach

The surprise in that group is Knueppel in place of sophomore guard Caleb Foster, who emerged as a leader in the offseason after drawing starting nods in over half of his 27 outings as a freshman before missing all of March with a right ankle injury.

That said, Rothstein isn't alone in his high expectations for Knueppel. After all, the former five-star prep from Wisconsin appears in the first round of several way-too-early 2025 NBA mock drafts. There is no denying that he's a heralded sharpshooter known for his calculated steps, exhibiting a silky flair stemming from his confident playmaking at his own dictated pace with the ball in his hands.

"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast," the 6-foot-6, 217-pound newcomer said at last week's Duke basketball media day.

Scheyer has a wealth of options. That's due to Duke's success on the 2024 recruiting trail and in the transfer portal to pair two returning scholarship talents — Proctor and Foster — with a formidable cast of college basketball veterans and top-shelf rookies.

Of course, it's worth noting that the starting lineup for the Blue Devils' season opener at home against Maine on Nov. 4 won't necessarily be the same as the one Scheyer rolls out come March.

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Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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