The Brotherhood Run Is Concluding With 5th Ranked Duke Opposing Howard With Former Duke Players Jon Scheyer, Kenny Blakeney , Nate James , Tyler Thornton Opposing Each Other As Coaches Sunday
The Brotherhood is made of current as well as former Duke men’s basketball coaches, players is a lifelong all inclusive bond among Duke men’s basketball players, coaches and staff built on shared experiences, mutual support a commitment to excellence. It represents a connection forged through shared effort and sacrifice where former players and alumni provide guard, mentorship to current members, creating a support system that extends well beyond their time on the court.
The Brotherhood Run is concluding, ending with 5th ranked Duke opposing Howard with former Duke players Jon Scheyer, Kenny Blakeney Nate James opposing each other following Duke hosting Niagara Jon Scheyer, Greg Paulus opposing each other as Head Coaches on Friday night.
As a guard, player for Duke for former Duke Head Coach now retired Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Jon Scheyer, was one of the most versatile and reliable Blue Devils all-time, concluding his career as the only player in school history to record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 three-point field goals and 200 steals. He averaged 14.4 points per game while scoring in double figures 114 times (sixth-most in Duke history) and leading the Blue Devils to a 115-29 (.799) record.
A two-time team captain, Scheyer scored 2,077-career points and still ranks 10th on Duke’s all-time scoring list. He ranks third in Duke history in free throws made (608), fourth in free throw percentage (.861; 10th in ACC history) and three-point field goals made (297; 13th in ACC history) and sixth in free throw attempts (706). He played in 144 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in Duke history, while his 4,459 minutes played rank fourth in ACC history.
As a senior in 2010,
Jon Scheyer averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game from the point guard position to spark Duke to a 35-5 record and its fourth national championship. He was a consensus second-team All-American and a first-team All-ACC pick in his final season after starting all 40 contests and scoring in double figures in all but two games on the year. His 1,470 minutes played as a senior remains the ACC single-season record.
Jon Scheyer was named MVP of the ACC Tournament as a junior in 2009, averaging 21.7 points and 4.0 rebounds as Duke took home the title.
As a player for now retired Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Kenny Blakeney became a key member of Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s back-to-back NCAA Championship teams in 1991 and 1992. As a senior co-captain in 1995, he led with skill and strategic vision, graduating with a BA in History and setting the stage for a distinguished career beyond the basketball court.
Kenny Blakeney coaching career started as an Assistant Coach at James Madison University in 1995 -1996 before becoming an Assistant Coach at Columbia University before becoming an Assistant Coach at Harvard from 2007-2011 for Tommy Amaker who like Keeny Blakeney played for former Duke Head Coach now retired Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski before becoming an Assistant Coach at Columbia University from 2018-2019 before becoming Head Coach of Howard where he is the Head Coach currently.
Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer started out on Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching staff as Special Assistant before working his way up to Assistant Coach, Associate Head Coach before taking over for Mike Krzyzewski as Head Coach following 2021-2022 season following brief playing career in the NBA G League in 2010 where he suffered serious eye injury while playing for the Miami Heat summer league in 2010, soon after he led Duke’s team to its 4th NCAA championship that year. Scheyer suffered a retinal tear and traumatic optic nerve avulsion, both vision-threatening injuries. His plans quickly changed as he was told he may not be able to play basketball again due to permanent vision loss in his right eye. Scheyer discusses his experience during that time and expresses his gratitude towards Terry Kim, MD, Duke Cornea Division Chief and Duke Men's Basketball team eye doctor who flew to Chicago the very next day to ensure that he would receive the best care possible. "If that is not an example of Duke being a life-time decision, then I don't know what is," said Scheyer.
Jon Scheyer Former Duke All-American and two-time team captain Jon Scheyer was named the 20th head coach in Duke University’s storied basketball history on June 4, 2021. He succeeded Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who announced in June 2021 his plan to retire following the 2021-22 season.
Scheyer, who enters his fourth season as head coach in 2025-26, has vast experience on the Duke bench, having served on Krzyzewski’s staff since the 2013-14 season. His previous roles with the Blue Devils include special assistant, assistant coach and the previous three years as associate head coach. Scheyer and Duke agreed to a new six-year contract in October of 2023, extending him through the 2028-29 season.
The 35-year-old Scheyer was among the youngest head coaches in Division-I men’s basketball, and the youngest at a power conference institution, at the time of his hire. He was named to The Athletic’s 40 Under 40 in college sports in 2022 and was previously touted as one of the best assistant coaches in college basketball.
In September 2025, Scheyer was appointed to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Board of Directors, the association's top leadership body, providing strategic oversight of daily operations and advocacy efforts.
Record-Setting Debut Season as Head Coach
Leading the Blue Devils to a 27-9 mark in his first season, Duke captured the ACC Tournament title and went undefeated at home as Scheyer became the first coach in the conference’s storied history to post an undefeated home record in a debut season and the first to lead a team to an ACC title as both a player (2009, 2010) and as a head coach (2023).
He is just the fourth major conference coach all-time to win 27 or more games at age 50 or younger in a debut season and the first to do so at 35 or younger. In Division I history, only seven other coaches younger than 35 years old have won more games in a debut season.
Playing its best basketball as the season progressed, Scheyer’s first squad carried a nine-game winning streak into the program’s 45th NCAA Tournament, the fourth longest winning streak entering the NCAA Tournament in program history. The Blue Devils stretched the winning streak to 10 with a dominant first-round win.
Overcoming a season plagued by injuries and with one of the nation’s youngest teams that returned just one starter from the 2022 Final Four run, Scheyer’s squad was 19-1 with its full roster available. With an emphasis on defense and rebounding, the Blue Devils ranked top-20 in nearly every rebounding statistic and were top 30 defensively.
Scheyer was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Coach of the Year Award, presented annually to the best first-year coach in college basketball.
Continuing to Make History in Second Season
In his second campaign as Duke men's basketball head coach, Scheyer continued to build upon his historic debut, guiding the 2023-24 Blue Devils to a 27-9 record for the second consecutive year, finishing second in the ACC standings with a 15-5 league mark and advancing to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Duke was ranked inside the top-25 for the entirety of the 2023-24 season, concluding at No. 9 in the final Associated Press poll.
Scheyer led the team to three victories over opponents ranked in the top-25, with wins over No. 18 Michigan State, No. 10 Baylor and No. 2 Houston, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a top-five seed for the second straight season. Competing as a No. 5 seed during the 2023 postseason, the Blue Devils secured a No. 4 seed for this year's March Madness. On March 29, Duke defeated Houston, 54-51, in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the Blue Devils' 10th all-time win over a No. 1 seed and their first since beating Wisconsin, 68-63, in the 2015 national championship game, during Scheyer's nine-year tenure as an assistant coach.
The win over Houston, ranked No. 2 in the AP poll at the time, propelled the Blue Devils to their 24th trip to the Elite Eight and marked Duke's first win over a top-5 team since defeating No. 1 Gonzaga, 84-81, on Nov. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas.
Among Duke head coaches in their first two seasons, Scheyer posted the most overall wins (54), most conference wins (29) and the most NCAA Tournament wins (4). Scheyer's overall win percentage (.750) through his first two seasons is the best since Eddie Cameron in 1928-30 (.750/30-10), and his conference win percentage (.725) is the best since Harold Bradley in 1950-52 (.743).
In addition, Scheyer became just the third men's basketball head coach in ACC history to lead his program to a conference tournament title and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in his first two seasons, joining Bill Guthridge (North Carolina, 1998) and fellow Blue Devils coach, Vic Bubas (1960).
Advances to Final Four in Season Three
In 2024-25, just his third season as head coach, Scheyer engineered one of the most dominant seasons in program history, leading the Blue Devils to their 18th Final Four appearance and achieving a 35-4 overall record to join a rare group as only the sixth team in school history to notch at least 35 wins and the first in a decade to do so. The Blue Devils also captured both the ACC regular-season title (19-1) and the ACC Tournament championship, marking Scheyer's second ACC Tournament crown in three years, a first in conference history for a head coach in their opening three seasons.
Ranked inside the AP Top 25 throughout the campaign, Duke spent two weeks at No. 1 and finished the season No. 3 in the final poll. The 2024-25 squad was a statistical powerhouse, registering a KenPom net rating of 39.29, the second-highest in the site's history (since 1996-97), and the best offensive efficiency rating (130.1) in that same timeframe, as well as becoming the first team in ACC history to lead the conference in both scoring offense (83.2) and scoring defense (62.8). Nationally, Duke ranked in the top 25 in 13 categories, including No. 1 in scoring margin (+20.5) – third-best in Duke history, third in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.82) – best in program history, fourth in field goal percentage defense (.384) – best by any Duke team since 1960, seventh in scoring defense (62.8) – third-best in program history, and 10th in free throw percentage (.790) – second-best in Duke history. Duke also tallied 394 made three-pointers, the second-most in program history, while becoming the only Division I team to both average over 80 points per game (83.2) and allow fewer than 63 (62.8).
Scheyer's individual accolades continue to pile up. With 89 career wins, he tied the record for most wins by a Division I head coach in their first three seasons, joining Brad Stevens (Butler) and Brad Underwood (Stephen F. Austin). He also became the youngest head coach to reach the Final Four since 2011, and was honored with the prestigious 2024-25 John McLendon National Coach of the Year Award.
In his 16 seasons as player and coach at Duke, Scheyer has been part of two National Championships (2010, 2015), four Final Fours (2010, 2015, 2022, 2025) and six ACC Tournament crowns (2009, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2025), while averaging 28.1 wins per season with a winning percentage of .786 (449-122).
Recruiting and Developing the Nation’s Best
The Northbrook, Illinois, native has been integral in the recruiting and development of several young Duke stars since joining the staff. In accepting Duke’s head-coaching position a year before taking the helm, Scheyer was able to fully recruit the nation’s No. 1-ranked freshman class for the 2022-23 campaign -- highlighted by the top two-ranked players -- Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead. He followed that by landing the No. 2 overall class in 2023-24 class with four top-25 signees, then moved back to the top of the rankings in 2024 with six recruits inside the top 30, including the No. 1 overall prospect, Cooper Flagg. Scheyer retained the top spot in the 2025 recruiting rankings with four top-25 prospects, including the third-ranked recruit, Cameron Boozer.
Duke has finished top three in ESPN.com’s class recruiting rankings every season with Scheyer on the staff, including the No. 1 class seven times (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2025).
A total of 35 Duke players have been drafted, including 26 first-rounders, with Scheyer on the staff, highlighted by overall No. 1 selections Zion Williamson in 2019, Paolo Banchero in 2022 and Cooper Flagg in 2025. Williamson was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2019, Banchero was an All-American and ACC Rookie of the Year in 2022, and Flagg was the National Player of the Year and ACC Player and Rookie of the Year in 2025 . His first draftees as a head coach -- Lively and Whitehead -- were each first-round picks in 2023, followed by first-round selection Jared McCain in 2024. In 2025, Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach were all selected in the top 10 of the NBA Draft.
Williamson and Banchero join six other Scheyer-coached Blue Devils to be named ACC Rookie of the Year, including Flagg in 2024-25 and Kyle Filipowski in 2022-23 – Scheyer’s first commitment in the 2022-23 class, who chose to wear the No. 30 in honor of his first-year head coach.
Scheyer helped mentor Tyus Jones to Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors and an NBA first-round pick in 2015. Five years later, Tyus’ brother Tre was named both the ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after a remarkable 2020 campaign.
Tre is one of 13 Blue Devils to earn All-America recognition with Scheyer on staff – a list that also includes Quinn Cook, Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard, RJ Barrett, Williamson, Banchero, Filipowski and Flagg.
Allen finished his remarkable four-year career in 2018 as the 12th-leading scorer in Duke history with 1,996 points and joined Scheyer as two of just five Blue Devils in history with 1,900 or more points, 400 or more rebounds and 400 or more assists (Grant Hill, Danny Ferry, Johnny Dawkins).
According to https://goduke.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jon-scheyer/4161
As a guard, player for Duke for now retired Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Kenny Blakeney played from 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 where he played in 93 games started 11 games averaged 3.2 points , 1.3 rebounds , 1.2 assists per game was an NCAA Champion in 1991-1992 season.
Kenny Blakeney coaching career began as an Assistant Coach at James Madison University in 1995 -1996 before Kenny Blakeney left to become Assistant Coach at Lasalle University in 1996-1997 season before Kenny Blakeney left to become Assistant Coach at the University Of Delaware from 1997-2000 before Kenny Blakeney left to become Assistant Coach at at St. Bonaventure University in 2001-2002 before returning to University Of Delaware to be Assistant Coach again this time from 2002-2006 before becoming Assistant Coach at Marshall University from 2006 -2007 before becoming Assistant Coach at Harvard University from 2007 -2011 before becoming an Assistant Coach at Columbia University in 2018-2019 before becoming Head Coach of Harvard where Kenny Blakeney is currently!
According to https://hubison.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/kenneth-blakeney/978
As a player a forward for Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Nate James was part of five straight ACC Regular Season Championships – a feat no other player in ACC History has accomplished. He also won three ACC Tournament Championships and the 2001 National Championship, alongside Shane Battier, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Chris Duhon.
The Brotherhood Run for 2025-2026 season is concluding with 5th ranked Duke opposing Howard with former Duke players Jon Scheyer, Kenny Blakeney , Nate James coaching against each other.
As a guard, player for Duke for former Duke Head Coach now retired Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Jon Scheyer, was one of the most versatile and reliable Blue Devils all-time, concluding his career as the only player in school history to record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 three-point field goals and 200 steals. He averaged 14.4 points per game while scoring in double figures 114 times (sixth-most in Duke history) and leading the Blue Devils to a 115-29 (.799) record.
A two-time team captain, Scheyer scored 2,077-career points and still ranks 10th on Duke’s all-time scoring list. He ranks third in Duke history in free throws made (608), fourth in free throw percentage (.861; 10th in ACC history) and three-point field goals made (297; 13th in ACC history) and sixth in free throw attempts (706). He played in 144 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in Duke history, while his 4,459 minutes played rank fourth in ACC history.
As a senior in 2010,
Jon Scheyer averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game from the point guard position to spark Duke to a 35-5 record and its fourth national championship. He was a consensus second-team All-American and a first-team All-ACC pick in his final season after starting all 40 contests and scoring in double figures in all but two games on the year. His 1,470 minutes played as a senior remains the ACC single-season record.
Jon Scheyer was named MVP of the ACC Tournament as a junior in 2009, averaging 21.7 points and 4.0 rebounds as Duke took home the title.
Jon Scheyer started out on Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching staff as Special Assistant before working his way up to Assistant Coach, Associate Head Coach before taking over for Mike Krzyzewski as Head Coach following 2021-2022 season following brief playing career in the NBA G League in 2010 where he suffered serious eye injury while playing for the Miami Heat summer league in 2010, soon after he led Duke’s team to its 4th NCAA championship that year. Scheyer suffered a retinal tear and traumatic optic nerve avulsion, both vision-threatening injuries. His plans quickly changed as he was told he may not be able to play basketball again due to permanent vision loss in his right eye. Scheyer discusses his experience during that time and expresses his gratitude towards Terry Kim, MD, Duke Cornea Division Chief and Duke Men's Basketball team eye doctor who flew to Chicago the very next day to ensure that he would receive the best care possible. "If that is not an example of Duke being a life-time decision, then I don't know what is," said Scheyer.
Jon Scheyer Former Duke All-American and two-time team captain Jon Scheyer was named the 20th head coach in Duke University’s storied basketball history on June 4, 2021. He succeeded Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who announced in June 2021 his plan to retire following the 2021-22 season.
As a coach at Duke,
Nate James spent 13 years at his alma mater, Duke, working his way up from an assistant strength & conditioning coach to associate head coach. During his time at Duke, the Blue Devils made 11 NCAA Tournaments, won five ACC (Atlanta Coastal Conference) Tournament Championships, one regular season ACC Championship and two national championships (2010 & 2015)
As a player at Duke,
Nate James (1996-01), James was part of five straight ACC Regular Season Championships – a feat no other player in ACC History has accomplished. He also won three ACC Tournament Championships and the 2001 National Championship, alongside Shane Battier, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Chris Duhon.
According to https://hubison.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/nate-james/1196
Tyler Thronton played for Duke for former Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski During his four-year Duke career from 2010 to 2014, Thornton appeared in 139 games with 53 starts, while compiling 433 points, 264 assists, 231 rebounds and 139 steals. He played in all 36 games with six starts during the Blue Devils’ 2013 NCAA Elite Eight run, where he shot .392 (31-of-79) from three-point range and ranked second on the team with 79 assists. That season, he was also named one of 10 finalists for Sports Illustrated’s College Athlete of the Year, recognizing excellence in athletics, academics and community service. Thornton served as team captain in 2013-14 - Scheyer’s first season on Duke’s coaching staff - guiding the team to a 26-9 record, while starting 25 of 35 games. A 2014 Duke graduate, he earned his degree in psychology.
Then Tyler Thronton was on Kenny Blakeney’s coaching staff at Howard where spent six seasons as an assistant coach and director of player development at Howard University, helping head coach and fellow Duke men's basketball alumnus Kenneth Blakeney lead the Bison to consecutive MEAC tournament championships and NCAA tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024 before becoming an Assistant Coach for Jon Scheyer this season!
The Brotherhood Run is concluding with former Duke players, Jon Scheyer, Kenny Blakney, Nate James, Tyler Thronton opposing each other as coaches.
Duke is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference comes into The Brotherhood Run finale with record of 6-0 because they’ve yet to lose to an opponent this season won every single game they’ve played including Friday night’s when they were Jon Scheyer was opposing former Duke guard teammate Greg Paulus as a Head Coach as Duke was opposing Niagara they won handily 100-42 5th ranked Duke beat Niagara 100-42 where they were 32-55 on field goals for 58 % were 17-33 on on 3 pointers for 52 % were 19-24 on free throws for 79 % Six players scored in double figures. Cameron Boozer who is a freshman a guard was 5-11 on field goals , 0-1 on 3 pointers 4-4 on free throws to go along with 5 rebounds, 2 assists , 3 steals, 2 blocks 14 points . Patrick Ngongba II who is a center was 3-3 on field goals , 1-1 on 3 pointers , 10-11 on free throws to go along with 8 rebounds , 2 assists 5. Isaiah Evans who is a sophomore guard was 4-8 on field goals , 3-7 on 3 pointers , 1-1 on 3 pointers to go along with 3 rebounds , 3 assists to go along with 12 points. Caleb Foster was 3-4 on field goals , 3-4 on 3 pointers , 1-2 on free throws to go along with 1 rebound, 3 assists , 1 steal to go along with 10 points. Nikolas Khamenia who is a freshman a guard was 4-5 on field goals, 3 pointers to go along with 3 rebounds, 5 assists. Cayden Boozer who is twin brother of freshman forward Cameron Boozer was 4-6 on field goals , 3-4 on field goals, 3 pointers to go along with 2 assists. 17 points.
According to espn app
Though, before Duke opposed Niagara before former Duke guards, Jon Scheyer Greg Paulus coached against each other before 5th ranked Duke beat Niagara 100-41 Greg Paulus was honored on the court with former Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski who he was coached by at Duke as well as current Head Coach Jon Scheyer and received applause from fans, spectators who he played in front of as a player who refer to themselves as Cameron Crazies.
Following former Duke guards, players Jon Scheyer , Greg Paulus coaching against each other as Head Coaches in The Brotherhood Run Friday following 5th ranked Duke beating Niagara 100-42 Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer had this to say about Niagara Head Coach Greg Paulus!
It was an honor to have Greg Paulus back,”“Greg and I were teammates for three years, and I never thought me and him would be here coaching.
Following former Duke guards, players Jon Scheyer , Greg Paulus coaching against each other as Head Coaches in The Brotherhood Run Friday following 5th ranked Duke beating Niagara 100-42 Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer had this to say about how his team played when opposing Niagara I thought our team played to the standard we wanted. Our habits, the way we started the game. We have a lot we need to continue to get better at, but I thought today was a really good step and we’ll keep growing.”
We need to get off to better starts,“Every coach says they want to get off to quick start, and our thing has been how we respond. But I prefer not to have to respond after giving up five or six layups at the start of every game. “That was a point of emphasis. That’s why we subbed in right away.”
According to Chip Alexander News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article312962078.html#storylink=cpy
Howard is member of the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference comes into the game with 5th ranked Duke with record of 3-3 because they beat Niagara who’s Head Coach is former Duke guard Greg Paulus 80-70 Saturday in The Brotherhood Run
As Howard beat Niagara 80-70 in Brotherhood Run Saturday afternoon in Durham as a team Howard was 22-50 on field goals for 44 % , 6-21 on 3 pointers for 29 % was 30-43 on for 70 % on free throws. Four players scored in double figures. Cam Gillus who is a guard a junior was 1-6 on field goals , 1-3 on 3 pointers , 9-12 on free throws to go along 4 rebounds, 6 assists , 4 steals, 12 points. Ose Okojie was 5-7 on field goals , 1-1 on 3 pointers , 2-5 on free throws to go along with 5 rebounds , 4 assists, 13 points. Bryce Harris who is a guard a senior was 6-12 on field goals , 1-5 on 3 pointers , 7-8 on free throws to go along with 5 rebounds , 4 assists. 20 points. Travelle Bryson who is a sophomore a forward was 4-8 on field goals , 0-3 on 3 pointers to go along with 3 rebounds , 1 steal.
According to espn app
Following Howard’s 80-70 win over Niagara Saturday in Durham who’s Head Coach is former Duke guard Greg Paulus Kenny Blakeney who like Greg Paulus is former Duke guard current Head Coach of Howard focused his teams performance and the significance of returning to Duke his alma mater . His post game comments were general revolved around former Head Coach now retired Head Mike Krzyzewski and the importance of leadership and accountability while expressing pride in being Howard Head Coach his return to Cameron Indoor Stadium as well as how his team came back from a 13 point deficit.
According to espn app
Tip off is set for 4:00pm from Cameron Indoor Stadium!
The game is going to be televised on ACC Network with Evan Lepler, Dan Bonner, Jim Boeheim commentating!
Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim joined ESPN as a college basketball analyst in December 2023 after 47 years at Syracuse. Boeheim calls games on ESPN and ACC Network and provides studio analysis on Nothing But Net, ACCN’s signature basketball show.
Boeheim retired in March 2023 after 44 remarkable years as the head coach of his alma mater, finishing his career as the second winningest coach in history behind only Mike Krzyzewski. Syracuse made 34 trips to the NCAA Tournament with Boeheim as the head coach, including Final Four appearances in four straight decades (1987, 1996, 2003, 2013, and 2016). The Orange won the national championship in 2003.
Boeheim was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. In addition to his work with Syracuse, Boeheim served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic teams that won gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016, and the World Cup in 2010 and 2014.
According to https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/jim-boeheim/