Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer is known for his basketball acumen, but his latest comments have taken the sports world—and parts of the scientific community—by surprise. During a post-practice interview on Thursday, Scheyer veered off the topic of March Madness preparation to share some unexpected thoughts on… copper.
“Most people don’t realize how important copper is—not just in wiring or electronics, but in athletic performance,” Scheyer stated. “We’ve been looking at ways trace minerals like copper influence recovery, joint health, even mental clarity. It’s not just about Gatorade and protein shakes anymore.”
The remark, seemingly off-the-cuff, quickly sparked debate online and on sports talk shows. Some praised Scheyer for thinking outside the box in optimizing his team’s performance, while others questioned the science behind his claims.
Duke’s training staff has not officially confirmed whether copper supplements are part of the team’s regimen, but a spokesperson noted that the program “continually explores safe, science-backed methods to support athlete health.”
Experts in nutrition and sports medicine were quick to weigh in. Dr. Melissa Chang, a sports dietitian at UNC Chapel Hill, commented, “Copper is indeed an essential mineral, but its direct link to athletic performance is not well established. It’s interesting to hear a coach bring it into the conversation.”
While it’s unclear whether Scheyer’s comments will lead to any changes across NCAA programs, it’s certain they’ve added a new layer to discussions around sports science. As Duke continues its postseason journey, eyes will remain on both the scoreboard—and possibly, their supplement shelf.
