Jon Scheyer shares how Duke freshmen are progressing

After a summer of getting to know one another, head Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer says it’s time for the freshmen to get down to business.

At a recent press conference, the Blue Devils coach was asked about this year’s class of freshman talent — which, once again, is loaded. They’ve got five of the top 20 in the On3 Industry Rankings for 2023 and rank as the No. 2 class overall, behind only Kentucky.

Included in that group is California guards Jared McCain and Caleb Foster, as well as forwards Sean Stewart and TJ Power — all five-star players.

According to Scheyer, the last few months were for those four guys to get acclimated with Durham.

“While the summer is great — to use a term, you know, comfort level,” Scheyer said. “I think that’s what the summer is about: to get comfortable, knowing your way around campus, getting to know your teammates, getting to know us as coaches.”

However, now is the time when more serious practices begin.

“But the fall is really where you start to carve out your role and carve out your niche,” Scheyer added. “And so, as far as separation goes, that hasn’t happened yet with anybody really because we haven’t put anything in. Like, this is the time where we do that.”

Despite the lack of actual practice time on the basketball court yet, Scheyer says these newcomers have already made themselves quite friendly with the weight room.

“But they’ve all worked hard, they’ve been as consistent as any group with how they work,” he continued. “You know, all the groups we’ve had work hard, but they’ve been consistent day in day out when they’re here. You can bet they’re in the gym, that’s just how they’re wired, and that’s the thing I love about them.”

Lastly, Jon Scheyer says he loves their attitude, even if it they may come off as overconfident at times.

“Off the court, they’re loud, they’re cocky, they’re always talking smack to you and I think that’s a confidence I want them to keep while still understanding they have a lot to learn and a lot of room for growth,” he added.

These fall months are when college hoops programs really start to ramp up the training. Official practices will be here before we know it. Last season, the Blue Devils got their first real practices underway during the last week of September, which would be roughly one month from right now.