The Duke Blue Devils are no strangers to high expectations, and the upcoming 2025-26 college basketball season is shaping up to be no different. With head coach Jon Scheyer continuing to establish his identity at the helm of the storied program, Duke has once again assembled a top-tier recruiting class that has fans and analysts buzzing. Among the standout newcomers is small forward Nikolas Khamenia — a top-20 national prospect who not only brings immense talent but also an abundance of confidence.
Speaking with media recently, Khamenia made it clear that he’s not just at Duke to learn the ropes or bide his time. The freshman phenom stated that he believes the Blue Devils have a “really good chance” to win the national championship this season. While bold statements are nothing new in college basketball, coming from a freshman, it says a lot about both the player’s mindset and the culture Scheyer is cultivating in Durham.
Khamenia’s arrival has been highly anticipated. Hailing from California, the 6-foot-8 forward made waves on the high school circuit with his scoring versatility, high basketball IQ, and lockdown defensive capabilities. Throughout his prep career, he consistently demonstrated a polished offensive skill set—ranging from smooth jumpers and explosive drives to precision passing. But what may excite Duke fans most is his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. Khamenia plays with a level of maturity and intensity that makes it easy to see why he was so highly sought after during the recruiting process.
Scheyer has already proven he knows how to manage top-level talent. In his first few seasons since taking over for Mike Krzyzewski, the former Blue Devil guard has leaned heavily on freshmen while blending them with experienced returners. It’s a strategy that has kept Duke competitive on a national level, and the 2025-26 roster appears to be no different. With a blend of elite young talent like Khamenia and experienced leaders returning from last season’s squad, Duke seems poised to make a serious run.
Khamenia’s belief in the team’s potential isn’t just optimism—it’s grounded in what he sees every day in practice. “We have the pieces. We have the talent. We just have to put in the work,” he said in a recent interview. His comments reflect not just confidence, but a focus on the collective. He understands that championships aren’t won on paper—they’re earned on the hardwood.
The Blue Devils will face plenty of stiff competition in the ACC and beyond, with programs like Kansas, UConn, and Alabama also reloading for deep March runs. But with Scheyer continuing to adapt and innovate, and freshmen like Khamenia coming in with both skill and a winning mentality, Duke fans have every reason to be hopeful.
As the countdown to tip-off begins, all eyes will be on how this latest class of Blue Devils gels with the returning core. If players like Nikolas Khamenia deliver as expected, and if the team embraces the grind and pressure of championship contention, there’s a strong chance Duke could be dancing deep into March—and perhaps all the way to the final game in April.