The Duke Blue Devils are likely facing a different challenge this season. Unlike the past couple of years, they won’t have a standout freshman like Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer, who was named National Player of the Year for 2026-27. This shift sets the stage for Duke to work diligently in the transfer portal, and they’ve already made a significant acquisition by securing one of the top players available this Wednesday.
John Blackwell has officially committed to Duke after deciding to leave the Wisconsin Badgers. He spent three seasons at Wisconsin and, while not highly rated as a recruit—landing outside the top 200—he really came into his own, emerging as one of the top guards in the Big Ten during his sophomore year and showing further improvement as a junior. Over the last two years, Wisconsin won 51 games and made two NCAA Tournament appearances with Blackwell playing a crucial role. He chose Duke over other offers from schools like Louisville and Illinois, which is a positive indicator for their perimeter options.
This year, Blackwell averaged 19.1 points per game on an impressive 59.3 percent shooting. His skill set is quite diverse; he combines on-ball and off-ball capabilities while showcasing a solid three-point shooting ability alongside an advanced mid-range game. Blackwell hit 39 percent of his 241 attempts beyond the arc last season, with a good portion being unassisted shots. Additionally, he made 40 percent of his mid-range attempts while excelling in shots without assists. Although standing at 6-foot-4, he leans more towards being a scorer than a traditional point guard, yet he manages turnovers effectively as a ball handler. His ability to carry a significant load—recording a usage rate of 25.6 percent last season—while creating good looks for himself and executing well alongside other talented players, showcases his versatility from his time at Wisconsin.
Duke has also welcomed 6’9 transfer Drew Szarnowski from Belmont. Furthermore, center Patrick Gomba has opted not to enter the NBA Draft and will return, along with Caden Boozer for his sophomore year. It seems Duke isn’t quite done shaping its roster yet, though they might have to hold off for decisions regarding several players in the upcoming NBA Draft. Last year, for instance, they had a commitment from Cedric Coward, who eventually declared for the draft after impressing scouts, which turned out to be a wise move for him.
Let’s take a closer look at Duke’s projected roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season and examine who else they might be eyeing in the transfer portal.
Duke University Men’s Basketball Projected Roster for the 2026-2027 Season
If all current players return, here’s a rundown of who Duke will potentially have next season. Just a guess at the lineup, really.
Bench: F/C Drew Scharnowski, G Caleb Foster*, G Deron Ripley Jr., F Bryson Howard, C Maxim Meyer, F Sebastian Wilkins
The * next to a player’s name indicates they’re expected to return, though no official announcement has been made yet. Both Sarr and Foster face important decisions that will significantly impact Duke’s roster.
Who could Duke still pursue in the transfer portal?
One of the most talked-about players available is Allen Graves, a forward from Santa Clara who has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. However, it’s difficult to gauge his draft stock right now. Graves has been incredibly productive on a per-minute basis, but due to foul troubles, his playing time was limited. Standing at 6-foot-9, he’s a strong defender with noteworthy stats, including a 5 percent block rate and a 4.9 percent steal rate, and shot 40 percent from beyond the arc last season. He’s an exceptional rebounder, has quick hands, an unmatched work ethic, and an instinct for getting the ball on both ends. Personally, I’d consider him a first-round pick this year, but there’s a chance that a school like Duke or Kentucky might entice him to return for another year, offering more preparation in a prominent role.
Will Duke successfully manage to add Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic if he stays in the draft? Or might they land another notable player? Anything is possible. Following Flagg’s advancement to the Final Four and Boozer’s journey to the Elite Eight, head coach John Scheier has a critical season ahead. He’s building on a solid start with these recent moves.
