Picture this: A top-tier basketball coach boldly declaring that his players are only 98% of the game—it's a mantra that's turning heads and challenging everything you thought you knew about winning at Duke University. But here's where it gets controversial: Is he right, or is this just another way to downplay star power in favor of the grind? Stick around, because we're diving deep into Jon Scheyer's unique philosophy that's reshaping the Blue Devils.
Durham, NC – Step into Duke's basketball world under head coach Jon Scheyer, and you'll quickly realize this isn't your average pep talk. Every newcomer to the program gets immersed in what Scheyer calls the '98 percent' principle, a fresh take on the old-school demand for 100% effort from athletes in any sport.
Sure, most coaches preach giving it your all, but Scheyer flips the script with a nuanced twist. 'It's all about maintaining that steady 98 percent focus in the moments when you don't have the ball,' the coach explained recently during the ACC Tipoff event. 'As both a player and a coach, I've seen that the greatest squads are those that master and dominate in these off-ball aspects. We're talking about relentless rebounding, that instant shift to the next play, and unyielding defense.'
To drill this home, they reinforce it live in practices, break it down in film sessions, and keep hammering the message for consistency. The core idea? In the vast majority of plays—unless you're the point guard handling the ball constantly—the leather is in your hands for just a tiny fraction, about 2% of the time. Of course, any player could explode for a game-changing 30 points and steal the spotlight. But for the most part, victories hinge on that overlooked 98%—the subtle, gritty details like relentless hustle, smart positioning, and defensive stops that don't make the highlight reels.
And this is the part most people miss: The devil really is in those details. Just last season, Duke boasted one of the most gifted rosters around, led by phenom freshman Cooper Flagg, widely hailed as the nation's top player. Yet, Scheyer credits their success to fully buying into the 98% ethos—what that translates to is hitting the deck for a loose ball, swiping away a crucial pass, or instinctively rotating to cover a teammate's back on defense.
'This mindset shift is a real challenge for high school stars,' Scheyer noted. 'In those earlier days, kids are often glued to the ball, and that's how scouts evaluate them for recruiting rankings. But in today's game, high ball-handling stats—known as 'usage'—can actually be a drawback. The NBA now values players who thrive without constant possession, those who excel off the ball and contribute in understated ways.'
But here's where it gets controversial: Does this devalue the flashy scorer, the guy who could carry a team on his back? Scheyer's approach seems to suggest that individual brilliance takes a backseat to team-wide discipline, potentially sidelining superstars in favor of the collective grind. What do you think—could this backfire on teams with undeniable talent?
This year's Blue Devils squad, perched at No. 6 in the AP preseason rankings, mixes seasoned vets like junior Caleb Foster and senior Maliq Brown (key leaders) with elite recruits such as the five-star Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, plus Sebastian Wilkins, Nik Khamenia, and Italian freshman Dame Sarr. 'The rookies get it—they understand the Duke standard from day one,' Brown asserted.
Foster emphasized keeping the 98% focus razor-sharp with the newcomers, stressing that in the ultra-competitive realm of college hoops, where national title hopes hang by a thread, there's zero room for slippage. He leads by example, battling for every rebound, grinding on defense, and embodying that winning edge. 'To conquer at the highest echelons, you must nail the intricacies,' Foster shared at the ACC Tipoff. For beginners wondering what this means, think of it like this: In basketball, 'usage' refers to how often a player touches the ball—high usage might make a player look dominant in high school, but in pro-level play, it's often seen as inefficient if it limits team flow and opportunities for others.
Zooming in on one standout, Isaiah Evans—the lanky 6-foot-6 sophomore dubbed 'Slim' for his slender build—offers an intriguing case study. Evans is a sharpshooter extraordinaire, draining 41.6% of his threes last year. In a memorable victory over then-No. 2 Auburn, he sank six treys in the first half alone for 18 points inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.
'His shooting is a lethal tool we want to sharpen, not change,' Scheyer said. 'But we're prioritizing his defense, his off-ball hustle, his rebounding prowess, and exploring new scoring avenues, like drawing fouls at the free-throw line. Evans is pivotal to our strategy; his growth in these win-or-lose fundamentals will define his impact beyond just points and shots.'
Players who fully embrace the 98% demands typically see more floor time, as evidenced by last year's team that clinched the 2025 ACC title and punched their ticket to the Final Four. With ample talent this season, Scheyer has flexibility—expect the Boozers to start and play tandem minutes, Foster and Brown to lock in when healthy, and Evans to unleash more threes. Yet, Scheyer is crystal clear: 'No guarantees just for showing up. Everyone must earn their spot through hard work. No 'it's my turn' mentality here.'
The Devils kick off with exhibition matchups against Central Florida on October 21 and Tennessee on October 26, before the 2025-26 season opener against Texas in the Dick Vitale Invitational on November 4 in Charlotte.
Aiming for Final Four Redemption
The sting of last year's semifinal loss to Houston in the Final Four lingers for Brown and Foster, fueling their fire to return and rewrite the script. 'Reaching the Final Four is the ultimate prize in college basketball,' Scheyer reflected. 'A season boils down to triumph or agony—no middle ground. For us, it was the latter last time.'
But that's history. The coach preaches accumulating those championship 'opportunities' and maximizing them when they come. For context, the 2026 Final Four will unfold at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 'Keep putting yourself in the arena, and inevitably, you'll seize the glory,' Scheyer believes.
With over 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has chronicled the N.C. State, UNC, Duke, and East Carolina programs, and now enters his 15th year covering the Carolina Hurricanes. A multi-award-winning journalist, he witnessed the Hurricanes' relocation to North Carolina in 1997 and contributed to their 2006 Stanley Cup coverage.
So, what's your take? Does Scheyer's 98% mantra revolutionize basketball strategy, or does it risk overlooking the magic of individual stars? Is high usage really a 'negative' in today's game, or should we celebrate the showmen? Drop your thoughts in the comments—do you agree this is genius, or does it sound like a recipe for mediocrity? Let's debate!
