Duke Player Grades Before Conference Play

Duke wrapped up the nonconference slate at the end of 2025 with a record of 11-1. It has been a year full of positives and only slight negatives. However, let’s go through player grades. Be warned, grading will be harsh.

Duke Player Grades

Cameron Boozer: A

Cameron Boozer has been the best player in the country. He is heavily favored to win National Player of the Year and at this point it would be a surprise if he didn’t win. Boozer has carried this team to their current 11-1 record and has dominated. Duke will go as far as Boozer takes them. The only reason this is not an A+ is because of the slow start for a few games when he shot it very poorly.

Patrick Ngongba: B

Patrick Ngongba has been fairly good to start the year. He has a couple big games including one double double. He also has a few multiple block games including a five block game versus Florida. Ngongba has a few dominant performances but it is the few missing in action performances that leaves him at a B. His 4 point, 4 rebound, 4 assist game against Texas Tech is not good enough. His only one double digit rebounding game for a bad rebounding team is also not good enough. Consistency needs to improve as much as his rebounding.

Maliq Brown: B

Maliq Brown is an uber consistent rotational piece for Duke. He is arguably the best defender in the nation and is the leader of disruption and chaos on the defensive side of the court. He also has more to his offensive game then he has shown so far. Brown can be a plus on the offensive side but he too infrequently acknowledges that. Brown is a good passer like the two listed above. Less fouls and more on offense can get him to an A.

Isaiah Evans: B-

Isaiah Evans is probably the most frustrating grade on this list. He has the huge performances against Texas and Kansas and then the no-show against Texas Tech. He also did close to nothing against Florida before stuffing the dagger three to win it. Evans has taken a huge step forward in his ability to defend this year and his effort is drastically improved. However, Evans should be Duke’s second best player and that just has not come to fruition yet.

Caleb Foster: B-

Caleb Foster was the player set to take the third year jump to start this season. His game against Arkansas is probably his best game ever at Duke. He had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 rebounds in that contest. However, there are also several sub-par performances scattered throughout the rest of the season. Foster is the guy with the most experience on this roster. He also is the one who is supposed to be Duke’s primary playmaker. Those things have not happened for Foster yet.

Cayden Boozer: C+

Cayden Boozer has been steady but fairly unassuming. He has not played well against bigger opponents, aside from a great shooting night against Texas Tech. Boozer has big games against the inferior opponents Duke has played though. Duke is waiting for a primary playmaker to arrive and Boozer could be it if he can just take a jump. So far, his lack of athleticism seems to be causing some issues.

Nikolas Khamenia: C

Nikolas Khamenia‘s game against Michigan State is reason enough to earn him a C. He was dominant in that game getting Duke a ton of second chances and converting a few of his own. Khamenia has some other big games against lesser opponents as well. He is a work in progress but sees the game well and can have a huge career, Matthew Hurt style.

Darren Harris: C

Darren Harris has been really good when he has gotten opportunities. He is shooting the ball well and has been an average defender. Realistically, he is a guy that could see a big bump in minutes in the second half of the year as Duke looks for more consistent shooting.

Dame Sarr: C-

Dame Sarr was the starter at the three spot when the season tipped off. He had a huge game against Army and a few other defensive masterpieces with three and four steal games. However, since Thanksgiving, he has really struggled to earn minutes. Sarr lost all confidence and it shows quite clearly. As a possible lottery pick before the season began, he has been the most disappointing.

Duke Team Grades

As expected, Cameron Boozer soars above the rest. Duke needs this large group of guys in the B- and C group to elevate their games. Jon Scheyer can coach with the best of them. Duke also has begun to utilize an NBA style development program so do not be surprised if some of these guys take off.