3 Duke newcomers ranked among NCAA's most impactful
Three different Duke students were recently listed by ESPN as some of the most impactful entering the 2026-27 season.
Ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season, ESPN recently released a list of the 67 newcomers who are expected to have the greatest impact for their new teams. Among the three Duke Blue Devils listed were a freshman and two transfer students. One of these transfers, Drew Scharnowski, a recent Belmont graduate, was recognized as a sleeper prospect.
Last season, Scharnowski, a 6'9" forward, averaged 10.7 points, 6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in 21.8 minutes. The next Blue Devil on the list, No. 13, was Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje. This versatile player has already gained recognition from NBA general managers, having previously played for FC Barcelona's U18 team and leading the United States to a gold medal in the U17 2026 FIBA World Cup, where he was named MVP.
In terms of ranking, John Blackwell of Duke came in second overall. A highly touted transfer student, Blackwell has established himself as one of the top scorers in the nation, averaging 17.4 points per game over 71 contests during his sophomore and junior years. While Scharnowski was not present for Duke's first practice, Boumtje-Boumtje and Blackwell were two of the team's most impactful players, together scoring 36 points in a 40-point win.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
