Duke’s basketball staff is reportedly pursuing former Princeton standout Xaivian Lee in the transfer portal.
In recent years, Duke has added several Ivy League transfers to its roster—though many have had limited roles, sometimes joining primarily to pursue graduate studies while serving as scholarship practice players.
This time around, however, the Blue Devils seem to be targeting a more impactful addition to their Ivy League pipeline. According to Adam Zagoria of The New York Times, Duke has emerged as a serious contender in Lee’s recruitment.
Before Duke joined the race, schools like North Carolina, Florida, and St. John’s had already shown strong interest in the talented guard. Later, BYU and Stanford were also reported to be in the mix.
Lee, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound junior and two-time All-Ivy League honoree, started full-time for Princeton in the 2024–25 season. He averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 36.6% from three-point range.
With his veteran experience and well-rounded game, Lee could be a significant addition for head coach Jon Scheyer in his fourth year at Duke. The Blue Devils’ recent transfer pickups have shown a clear focus on adding seasoned players with grit—and Lee appears to fit that mold perfectly.