Duke Finally Moves in the Portal and Lands a 6'9" Rim Protector Who Can Actually Pass

After a quiet offseason, Jon Scheyer and Duke just made their first real move in the transfer portal. The Blue Devils landed Belmont's Drew Scharnowski, a 6'9", 230-pound forward who ranked as the No. 30 overall player and No. 8 power forward in the entire portal according to 247Sports. This is the kind of splash Duke needed to add depth in the paint.

Scharnowski Showed Real Growth at Belmont

The sophomore spent his first two years at Belmont and made a huge jump in 2025-26. In his second season with the Bruins, Scharnowski averaged 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting a ridiculous 68.1% from the field. That efficiency is exactly what Scheyer wants down low.

The stat that really jumps out? On January 31 against Murray State, Scharnowski posted 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. That's basically a triple-double from a big man, and it shows you what he's capable of when everything clicks.

A Big Man Who Actually Fits Duke's System

Scharnowski isn't just another back-to-the-basket guy. He's one of the best passing big men available in the portal, an elite rebounder, and a legit rim protector. His 39 blocked shots this past season ranked fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference, so he can protect the paint when it matters.

That skillset lines up perfectly with what Scheyer and his staff look for in the frontcourt. But here's the thing: his exact role remains unclear because Duke is still waiting on sophomore Patrick Ngongba to decide whether he's staying or declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. Ngongba is a projected late first-round pick, but sticking around could actually net him more money than his first NBA contract at his current projection. It's genuinely up in the air right now.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.