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7 Blue Devils Entering Their Final Season With Duke Basketball

These Blue Devils are about to start their final season in Durham.

By Cem Yolbulan

Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Stanley Borden (52) blocks guard Cooper Flagg (2) dunk during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Stanley Borden (52) blocks guard Cooper Flagg (2) dunk during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images / Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
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Kon Knueppel

As exciting as the freshman class is for Duke fans, it also means that there will be multiple one-and-done prospects. At 6'7, the talented wing is a prototypical modern NBA player, making him a highly-touted draft prospect. He is mocked to be a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

At this point in the year, it is too early to make these projections. The draft boards will look very different in the spring than they do now. Wisconsin Mr. Basketball, Kon Knueppel has a very good chance to be in the conversation to be a first-round pick regardless of how this season goes for him.

Knueppel is a natural scorer and playmaker who can do a lot of things on the offensive end. He may lack the high-end athleticism that could make him a true superstar, but he has the size and talent to be an impact player.

Khaman Maluach

Maluach was the third-ranked prospect by ESPN in the 2025 draft class. The 7-foot-2 sensation chose Duke over UCLA, Kentucky, and Kansas, and the moment he made his decision, it was obvious that he had the NBA in his mind.

The South Sudanese phenom already has high-level basketball experience. As a member of the NBA Academy Africa, he was assigned to the Basketball Africa League on an amateur contract, playing extensive minutes in the BAL. He also represented South Sudan in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics, making him a unique prospect.

With his size, athleticism, and skill set, Maluach has the tools to be a modern NBA big. He is a fairly raw prospect but has a ton of upside, especially on the defensive end. He projects to be one of the best defensive players in college this season.

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