Unexpected backcourt replacement now in play for Duke basketball. Sion James is out of eligibility, Tyrese Proctor will likely head to the NBA Draft, and both Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans have intriguing …

Unexpected backcourt replacement now in play for Duke basketball. Sion James is out of eligibility, Tyrese Proctor will likely head to the NBA Draft, and both Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans have intriguing …

 

 

With the 2024–25 season approaching, Duke basketball is staring down an unexpected reshuffling in the backcourt, raising questions and opportunities as the program seeks to maintain its elite standing. The departures of veteran guard Sion James, likely NBA-bound sophomore Tyrese Proctor, and uncertainty surrounding rising talents Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans have left head coach Jon Scheyer with a significant task: reimagining the backcourt sooner than expected.

 

Sion James, the Tulane transfer and projected glue guy for next season’s roster, is officially out of eligibility after an administrative review clarified a prior miscalculation in his available playing years. His leadership, defensive tenacity, and versatility were expected to provide critical stability. With James unavailable, Duke loses not only experience but also a potential mentor to its younger guards.

 

Meanwhile, Tyrese Proctor’s departure—though not yet officially confirmed—seems increasingly inevitable. The Australian guard showed significant growth this past season and is widely projected as a late first- or early second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His absence will leave a void in playmaking and composure under pressure, two areas where he significantly matured as a sophomore.

 

That brings the spotlight onto Caleb Foster and incoming five-star freshman Isaiah Evans. Foster showed flashes of brilliance in his first year, especially with his shooting and quick first step. However, inconsistency and injury concerns linger. If healthy, Foster could easily step into a lead guard role, but he’ll need to demonstrate more control and consistency to take the reins full-time.

 

Isaiah Evans enters with hype. A McDonald’s All-American and one of the most electric scorers in the 2024 class, Evans brings length, range, and swagger. Though more naturally suited to a combo guard or wing scorer role, he may be thrust into a significant ball-handling and creation role early if Duke doesn’t make another move in the portal.

 

The “unexpected” factor, however, is where Duke fans might find their hope. With the sudden loss of James and the anticipated exit of Proctor, Jon Scheyer and his staff are now aggressively exploring the transfer portal. While no names have officially emerged, sources close to the program suggest that Duke is targeting an experienced guard—possibly a grad transfer—who can anchor the team and ease the pressure on Foster and Evans.

 

Duke’s history of successfully integrating transfers (think Ryan Young, Jacob Grandison, and now the attempted addition of Sion James) suggests they’re not afraid to dip into the portal when roster gaps appear. But the challenge remains steep: finding a player with the right mix of skill, experience, and willingness to fit into a team-first culture led by stars like Cooper Flagg and returning big man Kyle Filipowski.

 

Ultimately, the 2024–25 season could see Duke rolling out a backcourt that’s much younger and less proven than expected. But with elite talent, high ceilings, and a potential portal surprise, the Blue Devils may yet find a new backcourt identity that’s as dynamic as it is unexpected.