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The next edition of the Duke Blue Devils won't look much like the last one. With six players entered into the transfer portal and another couple in the NBA Draft, the Blue Devils will be almost starting over in 2024-25.
Fortunately for Jon Scheyer and the Cameron Crazies, the squad will (apparently) return a few key holdovers. Here's the rundown on the top three Duke players expected to return next year.
Top three basketball players returning to Duke in 2024-25
#3 Sean Stewart
A four-star recruit a season ago, Stewart had an underwhelming season at Duke. Playing just 8.3 minutes per game, he averaged 2.6 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. Still, on a few occasions, he showed flashes of potential future stardom.
Against LaSalle in November, Stewart had a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. He also had a nice three-game run late in the regular season.
Stewart had nine points and nine rebounds against Louisville, six points and eight rebounds against Virginia, and then 12 points and five rebounds against NC State.
Given the departures ahead of him, it's likely that Stewart will get a genuine shot at more minutes next season. His ability on the glass and flashes of post-scoring potential could point to a significant jump in ability to come. The Blue Devils could use more producvitiy from Stewart in 2024-25.
#2 Caleb Foster
Foster had an up-and-down freshman season but showed signs of being the next great Duke guard. In late February, Foster suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle. That shut down his season. Foster had joined the starting lineup on December 9th against Charlotte and started most games thereafter.
His top scoring game was the Nov. 14 matchup with Michigan State in which he scored 18 points. He had consecutive double-digit games against Baylor and Queen's in December. For the year, Foster averaged 7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, and 2.1 assists per game. He shot 41% from 3-point range.
Foster was a four-star recruit out of high school in 2023. He was sixth on the team in minutes for Duke last year and is poised to assume a starting role in 2024-25.
#1 Tyrese Proctor
Proctor intends to return to Duke for a third season and that's a massive boost for the Blue Devils.
He was on the All-ACC Freshman team in 2022-23. He improved across the board last season, finishing with 10.5 ppg and 3.7 apg. Proctor upped his overall shooting percentage from 38% to 42%, and his 3-point percentage from 32% to 35%.
The six-foot-five guard still has to work on consistency. In the Blue Devils' first three NCAA Tournament games, Proctor averaged 13.3 ppg. But in their regional final loss to NC State, Proctor was scoreless on 0 for 9 shooting. He did have a six-game streak of double digit scoring games that ended with nine points in the previous game against Houston.
Proctor was a five-star recruit from Australia in 2022. After two seasons, he's something of a mild disappointment. He's a talented player who shows flashes of All-American talent.
If Jon Scheyer can get Proctor to focus on increased consistency and movement without the ball, Proctor could still be the NBA guard he was expected to become. He's certainly a key to the 2024-25 season.
How will Duke fare in 2024-25? Will incoming freshman star Cooper Flagg be enough to get the Blue Devils back in the Final Four? Weigh in below in our comments section below:
