Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils basketball program provided a key injury update on Thursday at media day.
It won't be long before Duke basketball will be on our televisions, as the Blue Devils have begun practice this week. For Jon Scheyer, he arguably has his best roster this season.
Duke has built their roster by bringing in the No. 1 recruiting class, a good transfer portal class and also returned some key players. There's no Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer on this roster, two Wooden Award winners, but there is a LOT of talent still.
As Scheyer and the staff get their first look at this team on the court with practices, they will have a good sense of what they have early on. But on Thursday, the program provided some news on a transfer player who is now dealing with an injury.
Scheyer met the media on Thursday and told reporters that Drew Scharnowski is dealing with a knee injury right now and that he will be back hopefully soon. Scheyer didn't put a timetable on the return but hearing "hopefully" before the word soon doesn't exactly ring confidence.
Duke doesn't have to give out specifics on injuries just yet but this is a significant update to a player the Blue Devils want to have in their rotation.
Scharnowski did provide some more details, telling reporters on Thursday that his goal is to make it back before the season starts. But he's taking it one day at a time with his recovery and doesn't want to push anything that could risk further injury.
The media in attendance did note that he was not on crutches during his press conference on Thursday, which is a great sign.
Drew Scharnowski is expected to be a key player for Duke
The Blue Devils added the former Belmont player in the transfer portal to be a replacement for Maliq Brown. With Duke having center Patrick Ngongba II, Scharnowski is projected to be a backup center and give them some valuable minutes.
Duke has a lot of size with not only Ngongba and Scharnowski but also freshmen Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and Cameron Williams. Both of the freshmen are likely set to split time at the four as the five would move them out of position.
Ideally, Scharnowski returns in time to earn some playing time and provide some good depth for Scheyer and his staff this season.
Duke will open up the preseason in early October by hosting Scharnowski's former team Belmont.
