The Duke basketball program isn’t done making moves this offseason, and fans are eagerly watching to see who will be the next big addition. After securing a commitment from Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, the Blue Devils are poised to add even more talent to complement their returning players. While Duke won’t experience the same level of roster turnover as last year, the coaching staff, led by Jon Scheyer, is still looking for impactful pieces to elevate the team for the upcoming season.
Cedric Coward: A Strong Start to Duke’s Offseason
Cedric Coward was the first player to commit to Duke this offseason, choosing the Blue Devils over Alabama. His decision was a major win for the program, but Coward’s future remains slightly uncertain. He has entered the 2025 NBA Draft while he evaluates feedback from NBA teams on what aspects of his game need improvement before making the leap to the professional level.
Despite his early entry into the draft, all signs point to Coward returning to Durham next season to play for the Blue Devils. With his combination of skill and versatility, he’ll provide Jon Scheyer with an excellent option to boost the team’s frontcourt. Coward’s commitment sets the stage for more exciting moves in Duke basketball recruiting.
Open Spots and Potential Additions
Although Duke’s roster isn’t expected to change drastically this offseason, there are still open spots to be filled, and the coaching staff is actively pursuing top prospects. Three names have emerged as potential additions to the team: 2025 high school prospect Braydon Hawthorne, 2026 prospect Sebastian Wilkins, and international star Dame Sarr.
Braydon Hawthorne: The Top Recruit on Duke’s Radar
One player who is generating significant buzz is 6-foot-8 forward Braydon Hawthorne. A recent decommit from West Virginia, Hawthorne’s recruitment has heated up after a coaching change at WVU. With Darian DeVries moving to Indiana, Hawthorne decided to explore his options, and Duke quickly became a leading contender.
Hawthorne’s rise in the recruiting ranks has been nothing short of impressive. After starting as an unranked prospect, he’s now considered a consensus 4-star recruit, climbing the ranks thanks to his incredible athleticism and ability to impact both ends of the floor. His skillset is an excellent match for Duke’s needs, and he would provide immediate depth behind an already-talented frontcourt featuring Cameron Boozer, Patrick Ngongba, and Maliq Brown.
Duke is expected to host Hawthorne for a visit this weekend, and his decision could very well be the next big development in the program’s recruiting efforts. His physicality and versatility would be a great addition to a Blue Devils squad that is looking to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Sebastian Wilkins: The 2026 Prospect Duke Is Eyeing
Sebastian Wilkins is another prospect that Duke has shown interest in, but his situation is a bit more complicated. Wilkins, a talented forward from the 2026 class, is expected to reclassify and join the 2025 recruiting class. After Shelton Henderson’s decision to request a release from his National Letter of Intent, Duke turned its attention to Wilkins as a potential replacement.
While Duke has been in contact with Wilkins, the situation remains fluid, and the coaching staff is also exploring other options. Wilkins is expected to visit Duke in May, and if he does reclassify, he could bring even more depth to Duke’s already stacked roster. However, there’s a possibility that the Blue Devils could shift their focus to other targets if Wilkins decides to stay in his original class.
Dame Sarr: International Prospect Who Could Make an Impact
Dame Sarr, a 6-foot-8 wing from Italy, has been a name linked to Duke basketball recently, but his recruitment has cooled in the past few weeks. Sarr’s situation is particularly interesting because he has the option to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft, but his name was notably absent from the early NBA Draft entries list, signaling that he is likely to play college basketball next season.
Duke showed interest in Sarr in mid-April, but the momentum surrounding his potential commitment has slowed. While Sarr is a talented prospect with great size and skills, it would be a surprise if he ended up at Duke. As the Blue Devils continue to monitor his recruitment, they will likely keep an eye on other available prospects to fill any remaining gaps on their roster.
What’s Next for Duke Basketball?
As Duke basketball continues to build its roster for the 2024-25 season, all eyes are on the recruiting trail to see who will be the next player to join the Blue Devils. With Cedric Coward already in the fold, Duke has made a strong start to the offseason, but the program’s recruiting efforts are far from over.
The most likely addition at this point appears to be Braydon Hawthorne, whose combination of size and skill could make him an excellent fit for Duke’s system. His visit to campus this weekend could be the key to sealing the deal. If Hawthorne decides to commit to the Blue Devils, he would be an immediate contributor and provide valuable depth to the frontcourt.
While Wilkins and Sarr remain intriguing possibilities, their situations are more uncertain. Wilkins’ potential reclassification and Sarr’s international status could play a significant role in shaping the future of Duke’s recruiting efforts. As always, Jon Scheyer and his coaching staff will continue to evaluate all options and make the best decisions for the program.
Ultimately, Duke basketball’s recruiting is in a strong position heading into the summer. With a talented returning core and the potential for one more impactful addition, the Blue Devils are poised to remain a force in college basketball. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next big announcement, and with a few key targets still on the board, Duke may just add another star to its roster in the coming weeks.