Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils scored a major recruiting win with the commitment of five-star shooting guard Dame Sarr, further solidifying Duke’s future backcourt and continuing Scheyer’s strong momentum on the recruiting trail. Sarr, known for his elite shot-making ability, length, and upside as a two-way guard, gives Duke another dynamic perimeter presence.
His commitment was a notable blow to Kentucky, who had also been heavily pursuing the Italian-born prospect. With the Wildcats in transition under new head coach Mark Pope, Sarr’s decision to join Duke highlights Scheyer’s growing influence in head-to-head battles for top-tier talent. For the Blue Devils, Sarr adds to a growing list of elite commitments, underscoring Duke’s sustained dominance in attracting the nation’s best.
Exactly—Dame Sarr’s commitment to Duke is a significant recruiting victory for Jon Scheyer, and it’s one that likely stings for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas had been making real strides with Sarr, identifying the Italian standout early and pushing hard for his commitment. But once Duke entered the mix, the momentum clearly shifted.
Sarr’s decision strengthens an already elite 2025 class for Duke, which continues to assert itself as a top destination for high-end talent under Scheyer. With his combination of international experience, athleticism, and perimeter scoring, Sarr fits the mold of a modern, high-upside guard who can make an early impact at the college level. For Kansas, missing out on Sarr is a setback, but for Duke, it’s another statement that the program remains a premier force on the recruiting traileven post-CoachK.
Kansas made a strong late push and refused to back down in Dame Sarr’s recruitment, the pull of Duke ultimately proved too strong. The Blue Devils’ track record of developing NBA-ready guards, the prestige of Cameron Indoor, and the platform Duke provides on the national stage gave them a clear edge.
Sarr’s decision underscores the unique recruiting power Duke still holds, even in a fiercely competitive landscape. Jon Scheyer has done an impressive job maintaining the program’s elite status in the post-Krzyzewski era, and landing Sarr over a powerhouse like Kansas only reinforces that. For Bill Self and the Jayhawks, it’s a tough miss—but one that speaks more to Duke’s rising clout than any shortcoming in Kansas’s approach.
That’s a sharp contrast in momentum between two of college basketball’s most storied programs. Duke landing Dame Sarr not only strengthens an already elite 2025 recruiting class, but it also highlights the growing separation between the Blue Devils and Kansas in terms of roster stability and recruiting firepower.
Scheyer retaining his entire roster from last season while stacking blue-chip talent like Sarr, Cameron Boozer, and Cayden Boozer—plus versatile four-star Nikolas Khamenia—has Duke trending toward a dominant future. Meanwhile, Bill Self and Kansas, usually a recruiting powerhouse themselves, have had a quieter cycle, losing six players to the portal and currently sitting at No. 42 in the 2025 class rankings. That disparity stings even more when you consider that Kansas was deep in the mix for Sarr before Duke swooped in.
For Duke fans, it’s an exciting time as Scheyer continues to build a roster that blends experience with elite young talent. For Kansas fans, it’s a frustrating miss and a reminder that even blue bloods have to fight harder than ever in today’s recruiting landscape.
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