There’s more to Duke’s basketball roster moves than meets the eye, and it’s sparking some serious debate. The latest episode of CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball Podcast zoomed in on the ACC, and when Duke came up, the hosts expressed some skepticism about Duke’s approach to the transfer portal. But here’s where it gets controversial: Duke didn’t really chase a large number of portal players, nor did they land many—yet they nailed the recruitment of Cedric Coward, a future lottery pick, well before most experts caught on. This alone speaks volumes about Jon Scheyer’s sharp talent evaluation skills and suggests he’s likely quite satisfied with the players currently in his roster.
Duke’s only additions from the transfer portal were Iffy Ufochukwu and Jack Scott, with Scott being the focal point of the latest player profile. Scott, a 6-foot-5 wing, spent three years at Princeton. On the surface, he might not seem poised for major on-court impact in the upcoming season, but what makes him truly interesting is the pivotal role he could play off the court. And that’s a game-changer.
Scheyer has developed a knack for recruiting players who don’t necessarily jump out as star prospects initially. Names like Ufochukwu, Scott, Cameron Sheffield, Neal Begovich, Kale Catchings, and Max Johns often fly under the radar, yet they offer crucial contributions behind the scenes—something that we don’t usually get an inside look at. What exactly could these contributions be? There are two compelling theories. First, with so many young athletes on the squad, the presence of veteran players willing to mentor and support less experienced but more talented teammates is probably priceless. And second, recent developments—like policy changes from the House settlement that effectively eliminate traditional walk-on players—have forced programs to rethink roster building and adapt accordingly by bringing in experienced transfers.
Traditionally, walk-ons, though they seldom saw much game time, played an invaluable role. Their commitment to practice support and teamwork, driven purely by passion rather than playing minutes, created a foundation that helped star players thrive. Now that walk-ons are fading out, players like Ufochukwu and Scott fill that essential niche but come with an added edge—they can actually step onto the court and contribute when needed. As a reminder, Scott’s background includes playing point guard in high school, a versatility that could be tactically useful in various game scenarios.
Realistically, even though these transfers are highly competitive athletes, their playing time might be limited. Their true value lies beyond the stat sheet, in leadership, experience, and adaptability. The best way to assess their success may ultimately be by how well Duke performs as a team this season.
So here’s a question for you: Is Scheyer’s strategy of integrating these subtle yet strategic transfer additions the future of college basketball, especially with walk-ons disappearing? Or does it risk undervaluing traditional team-building approaches? Sound off in the comments—do you agree with this shift or think there’s something lost in the process?
