The Duke basketball program has secured a key addition to its roster, landing a commitment from another top shooting guard. This is a major pickup for head coach Jon Scheyer, as he adds length on defense and strong outside shooting, making him a valuable piece for next season’s rotation.
There was some uncertainty about the timing of his decision. Although Duke was considered the frontrunner, Dame Sarr delayed his announcement following a recent campus visit, creating some suspense.
Sarr initially wasn’t expected to be back on Duke’s radar. The Blue Devils had been in the mix for him early on alongside Kansas, Illinois, and Oregon, but their interest seemed to fade after landing Cedric Coward, a standout transfer from Washington State. However, as Coward increasingly looked set to remain in the 2025 NBA Draft, Scheyer shifted focus and aggressively pursued Sarr.
At one point, Kansas appeared to be the heavy favorite, with 247Sports’ Travis Branham predicting the Jayhawks would land Sarr after his visit to Lawrence. That prediction was soon reversed, and reports emerged that Duke had re-entered the race and was now leading.
Standing 6’8″ with a seven-foot wingspan, Sarr is an ideal fit for Duke’s system, offering a blend of perimeter shooting and defensive prowess. In 15 EuroLeague games and 12 Liga ACB appearances, he averaged 3.5 points and 1.1 rebounds, shooting 53.7% from the field and an impressive 44.8% from beyond the arc. He’s a classic 3-and-D wing, poised to complement fellow guards Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans at the small forward position.
Despite this exciting addition, Duke will be fielding an extremely young team next season, with junior Caleb Foster as the only upperclassman in the starting lineup. No returning players have yet proven themselves at a championship level, which raises questions about the team’s readiness.
Still, the Blue Devils have added a highly promising international talent in Sarr, boosting their potential heading into the upcoming season.