Jon Scheyer Breaks Silence on Practice Intensity — Admits Surprise as Team Forces Shift in Durham
Something is brewing in Durham — and even Jon Scheyer didn’t see it coming.
For weeks, murmurs have been circulating about the fire coming out of Duke’s summer practices. Insiders hinted at a different kind of energy, while short clips from scrimmages painted the picture of a team that’s refusing to coast. After repeated questions from fans and media, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has finally addressed the rising intensity inside his program — and he’s the first to admit, he’s been caught off guard.
“These guys came in with something to prove,” Scheyer said during a recent media session. “You can have plans as a coach, systems in place, routines set — but when a group decides to take ownership like this, you adjust. That’s what we’re doing.”
According to Scheyer, this year’s team has brought a level of competition, focus, and physicality to practice that’s forced him and his staff to rethink their approach. What was once a developmental offseason is starting to look more like a mid-season grind — and it’s being driven entirely by the players.
“There’s a toughness and urgency I love,” Scheyer said. “It’s not just one or two guys — it’s top to bottom. Everyone is fighting for their role. It’s made every practice feel like a statement.”
With a roster that blends highly-touted freshmen and returning upperclassmen, the Blue Devils are embracing a “no spot is guaranteed” mindset. It’s raised the stakes in every drill, every rep, and every scrimmage. What’s more, the internal competition is already translating into chemistry.
“When you compete like this every day, you either break apart or bond tighter,” Scheyer said. “These guys are choosing to bond — through sweat, trash talk, and effort.”
This internal push has reshaped how Scheyer is building his summer blueprint. Instead of strictly following scheduled developmental plans, he’s giving the team more room to set the tone themselves.
“We still have structure, but there’s a freedom to the way we’re operating now,” he explained. “We’re letting the team’s natural rhythm guide us. Honestly, it’s made us sharper.”
Scheyer, now entering his third season as Duke’s head coach, understands better than anyone how important early culture is. He followed in legendary footsteps, but he’s been carving out his own identity — and this fiery team may be the key to his next leap forward.
“We’re not where we want to be yet, but the foundation being built right now? It’s real,” he said. “And I’m here for it.”
As expectations climb and the season inches closer, the fire in Durham is impossible to ignore. It’s not hype. It’s not just talent. It’s a shift — one Jon Scheyer didn’t plan for, but one he’s now fully embracing.
And if this intensity keeps up, it could define the Blue Devils’ season before the first game is even played.
