Brotherhood Reunites: A trio of former Duke men’s basketball team captains will reunite at Cameron Indoor Stadium the weekend of Nov. 21-23, when Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils host Niagara, led by head coach Greg Paulus, and Howard, led by head coach Kenneth Blakeney, in the return of the Brotherhood Run…

Brotherhood Reunites: A trio of former Duke men’s basketball team captains will reunite at Cameron Indoor Stadium the weekend of Nov. 21-23, when Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils host Niagara, led by head coach Greg Paulus, and Howard, led by head coach Kenneth Blakeney, in the return of the Brotherhood Run

 

DURHAM, N.C. – A special reunion is set to take place at Cameron Indoor Stadium the weekend of November 21–23, when Duke men’s basketball hosts the annual Brotherhood Run.

This year’s event promises more than just early-season action—it will also serve as a homecoming for three former Blue Devil captains who now lead Division I programs of their own.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, who starred for the Blue Devils from 2006–2010 and captained the 2010 National Championship team, will welcome back fellow former captains Greg Paulus and Kenneth Blakeney. Paulus, a four-year player at Duke from 2005–2009, is now the head coach at Niagara.

Blakeney, who wore the Duke uniform from 1991–1995 under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, currently leads the Howard Bison.

Both Niagara and Howard will visit Durham to take part in the Brotherhood Run, an early-season showcase that celebrates the long-standing ties of the Duke basketball family—aptly named The Brotherhood. The event is as much a tribute to shared history and mentorship as it is a competitive series of games.

“This weekend is going to be really special,” said Scheyer. “To have Greg and Kenny back in Cameron, now as head coaches, speaks volumes about what Duke Basketball means. It’s not just about playing here—it’s about staying connected and supporting each other long after our playing days.”

The Blue Devils will face Niagara on Friday, November 21, before squaring off against Howard on Sunday, November 23. Both games will be played at historic Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the trio of Scheyer, Paulus, and Blakeney once ran the floor as leaders.

Paulus, entering his sixth season at Niagara, has earned praise for his leadership and development work with the Purple Eagles. A former point guard known for his toughness and basketball IQ, Paulus played in 139 games for the Blue Devils and was a team captain during his final two seasons.

Blakeney has helped elevate Howard’s basketball program in recent years, bringing national attention and high-level recruits to the HBCU. Under his leadership, the Bison won the MEAC regular-season and tournament titles in 2023, earning an NCAA Tournament berth. As a player at Duke, Blakeney contributed to multiple Final Four teams and remains a respected figure within the Duke coaching tree.

The Brotherhood Run was initiated to recognize and celebrate the deep ties formed through the Duke men’s basketball program, particularly among players who have gone on to become coaches. This year’s edition is especially notable, featuring three former captains-turned-coaches on opposing benches.

“Being part of the Duke Brotherhood means something—it stays with you,” said Blakeney. “Coming back to Cameron, where it all started for me, and coaching against Jon and Greg will be an honor.”

Tickets for the Brotherhood Run are expected to sell quickly, with Duke fans eager to witness not only high-level basketball but a unique celebration of the program’s enduring legacy.