Jon Scheyer chokes up when praising Tyrese Proctor after performance as Duke advances to Sweet 16

Duke’s Tyrese Proctor had a career-best game on Sunday to send the Blue Devils into the Sweet 16. That was a culmination of his time in the program to the point of bringing a tear or two to Jon Scheyer.

Following the 89-66 win for No. 1 Duke over No. 9 Baylor in the Round of 32, Scheyer got emotional talking about Proctor. Those came up from thinking about their connection with one another since he took over as head coach.

"If I'm an NBA team, I'm going after him because you have to be able to handle adversity."

Jon Scheyer got choked up when talking about Tyrese Proctor 🥹💙 pic.twitter.com/9L9iT1fhEB

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 23, 2025

“Well, I, I think, um, I think it’s, what I’m most proud of or as proud of anything with the journey Tyrese and I have been on – because it’s harder to go through those journeys now, you know, and um,” paused Scheyer.

“You know, with Tyrese, um – you know, I took over in April and, um, Tyrese and I had a call on May 31st to come a year early and, uh, sorry,” Scheyer said as he paused from being choked up.

Again, this was about everything that Proctor has been through since reclassifying almost three years ago to this weekend’s performance. He’s had ups, downs, and opportunities in his three collegiate seasons but has continued to build his connection as part of the Blue Devils.

“I think we knew there’d be some rough patches, you know, reclassifying but, uh – there were his first year but he had some big-time moments. Like, he came on strong down the stretch. He could have made a decision even to go pro after his freshman year a year early. And I think he and his family, his, you know, mom and dad? They had such maturity to understand it’s more important to be ready than just be drafted. And so he doubles down, comes back,” Scheyer recalled. “Huge expectations and me and Tyrese both would say his sophomore year didn’t go the way we wanted. And I think that’s where it’s easy to split. And, um, I was not in a convincing mode, I think, after that season. I was just matter of fact where I saw it for him and the opportunity and we just had honest conversations like we always do. But I think the difference is, for a guy in that position to take it as opposed to making excuses or running away from it? I think that’s the special part.”

“Obviously, our relationship, you know. I think, in this era? You guys cover this. You understand the challenges and NIL, transfer portal and all that. Still to have the relationships you can build with a guy for three years and go through a lot? Man, I’m obviously really proud of him,” Scheyer said.

Scheyer scored a career-high of 25 points in making nine of ten shots from the field including seven of eight attempts from three. He has hardly missed through two games in March Madness as Proctor is averaging 22 points (15-19 FG, 13-16 3PT) along with 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds. Go back another game in their win in the ACC Championship and he’s posting 21 points (66.5% FG, 68.5% 3PT on 19 triples) over the past three games.

“Tyrese? I mean, look, obviously, the shots? I mean, big-time shot-making. But I think he’s just been competitive, great leader, setting the tone every day with what we’re doing,” Scheyer said in his opening statement postgame.

Duke will want to see Proctor stay this hot going into the Sweet 16 and moving forward in the NCAA Tournament. Teams in the association, though, should want to see it too as Scheyer says Proctor has earned for his stock to rise as a prospect too.

“For this to happen for Tyrese, you know, uh, to be, you know, hitting seven threes and to be our key guy and all that after going through all these moments? Like, if I’m an NBA team, I’m going after him because you have to handle adversity and I think that speaks a lot to his character,” said Scheyer.