Projecting Duke Players Staying and Leaving After 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket Loss
The star-studded Duke basketball roster has exited the 2025 men's NCAA tournament after a 70-67 loss to Houston.
Led by coveted NBA draft prospect Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils advanced to the Final Four of March Madness. However, the No. 1 seed faltered earlier than expected and is entering the latest rebuild in Durham.
And there's not need for much concern.
Though the 2025-26 rotation will be very different, the program is poised to reload with yet another top-ranked recruiting class.
Who's Staying
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This is quite the question, isn't it?
While the program has embraced year-to-year rebuilds, Duke's comfort with revamping the roster doesn't make it any less dramatic.
Right now, the most likely candidates to stick in Durham are starting guard Sion James and reserves Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba II and Maliq Brown. Freshman backup Darren Harris can return, as well.
James is the only member of that group who averaged more than five points for the Blue Devils this season.
Who's Leaving
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The simplest way to answer this section is through the latest 2025 NBA mock draft from B/R's Jonathan Wasserman.
Buckle up.
Cooper Flagg is the projected No. 1 overall pick, while center Khaman Maluach (fifth) and wing Kon Knueppel (10th) are both lottery selections. Sixth man Isaiah Evans (24th) is another first-round talent, while veteran guard Tyrese Proctor (54th) is a real candidate to find an NBA home.
Additionally, backup wing Mason Gillis has exhausted his eligibility after spending four seasons with Purdue and a super-senior year in Durham.
Duke—which had seven outgoing transfers last offseason—is also no stranger to player movement via the portal.
Who's on the Way
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Jon Scheyer and his coaching staff earned the biggest win of the 2025 recruiting cycle because of a familial—and familiar—duo.
Duke signed elite prospects Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer, whose father is former Blue Devils and NBA standout Carlos Boozer. Cameron is ranked No. 2 nationally in the class, and Cayden is also a 5-star at 22nd overall.
Naturally, that's not all.
The reigning ACC champs also reeled in 5-star forwards Nik Khamenia and Shelton Henderson. They are ranked 20th and 21st, respectively, in the nation.
If the Blue Devils lose six-plus players as expected, Scheyer and Co. will be able to seek out multiple incoming transfers, as well.
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