Mark Mitchell, Jon Scheyer discuss the leadership transition at Duke in first season without Coach K

In the 2022-23 season, Duke had to do something that it hadn’t done since the 1980-81 season, going through a coaching change. That’s exactly what happened when Jon Scheyer replaced the outgoing legend Coach K.

Throughout the season, there were clear marks of this transition. At the same time, as Duke gets hot in March, there are clear signs that this change in leadership is going well.

“Yeah, it’s been good,” forward Mark Mitchell said. “I think we have a pretty young team, and obviously Coach has been around a lot longer than us. But in his first year, just to see him grow since the beginning of the year, I think it’s been just a pleasure. I think we’ve gotten better, he’s also got better with us, learning new things each and every day so it’s really good to see.”

Tyrese Proctor agreed with Mark Mitchell, Jon Scheyer has been a good leader for Duke this season. At the same time, Scheyer wanted to make it clear how important it was for him to be mentored by Coach K, who taught him about building relationships.

“Yeah, I just would add for me, one, I’m incredibly fortunate the experience I got before I was a head coach just with Coach K, how he would just be so open in the way he would share, just whether it be game plan, strategy, motivation, whatever it may be. But for me, I feel I’ve gotten a lot better. I’ve gotten a lot better with these guys. I’m just so thankful for them,” John Scheyer said.

“You build up the trust in the relationship, and that’s what I’m most proud of. We’ve been through a lot together, and people — I don’t know what people say, to be honest with you, but I know for us, we believe in each other, and that’s what I’m most proud of throughout this year.”

Jon Scheyer is proud of Duke’s players

Jon Scheyer said that he’s proud of the Blue Devils for overcoming adversity this season.

“They understand it now,” Scheyer said.

“It’s a matter of getting there and growing up. I don’t look at these guys as freshmen anymore. I’m proud of them. I’m just proud of them for what they’ve been through. Any noise, anything else. They just hung tough.”