In a heartfelt announcement that took Duke fans by surprise, Head Coach Jon Scheyer took a moment to share an emotional message with the Blue Devils community after officially declaring his intentions to enter the NBA Draft—not as a player, but signaling a possible transition from college coaching to pursuing opportunities at the professional level.
Scheyer, 37, who succeeded legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, has been at the helm of Duke men’s basketball for the past three seasons. Under his leadership, the team saw consistent tournament appearances and a strong recruiting pipeline, but Scheyer’s recent message indicates a new chapter is about to begin.
“I’ve poured my heart into this program—first as a player, then as a coach,” Scheyer said in a video message posted to social media. “Duke is home. It always will be. But after deep reflection with my family and mentors, I’ve decided it’s time to explore the next step in my basketball journey.”
His message was met with a mix of shock and support from the Duke faithful, with tributes pouring in from former players, fans, and fellow coaches. Many praised his calm demeanor, ability to connect with young athletes, and the seamless transition he managed following Coach K’s departure.
“To our players, past and present—you’ve made this ride unforgettable. And to the fans—you are the heartbeat of Cameron Indoor. Thank you,” Scheyer added, visibly emotional.
While he didn’t confirm whether he has a specific NBA opportunity lined up, sources suggest he has received interest from multiple franchises looking for a young, player-first coach with proven leadership skills.
Duke’s athletic department has not released an official statement on the coaching search yet, but insiders say the school intends to maintain the program’s elite status with a “national-level” replacement.
As for Scheyer, he ended his message with a nod to his roots: “No matter where I go next, I’ll always be a Blue Devil.”
