The 2026-27 college basketball season is still just over three weeks away, but Duke’s new five-star freshman big man, Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, already put the entire league on notice by dropping a team-high 19 points in only 22 minutes during their 102-62 scrimmage win over Belmont on Thursday. This kid isn’t just good, he’s shaping up to be *the* guy.
Duke’s Freshman Phenom Is Here to Play
Listen, if you haven’t heard the name Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje yet, you’re about to hear it a lot. This dude stole the show in Duke’s first exhibition game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and it’s super obvious why he’s already the consensus favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2028 NBA Draft. He shot 7 of 11 from the field, leading the team in scoring while barely breaking a sweat. And get this: he doesn’t even turn 18 until May 30, meaning he’s playing the *entire* 2026-27 season at 17 years old. Wild, right? He’s not eligible for next summer’s draft because of the NBA’s age rule, so we get to watch him dominate for at least two years.
The Blue Devils are expected to open the season ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, and with talent like Boumtje Boumtje and Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell joining the roster, you can see why. The only slight hiccup? They were without veteran guard Caleb Foster, their projected starting point guard, due to an ankle injury. Hopefully, that clears up fast for when the games actually count.
LSU’s Roster Rollercoaster Is Just Getting Started
While Duke is humming, things over at LSU are… well, they’re under a microscope, to say the least. Coach Will Wade is back for his second stint, and the roster construction has been a massive headache this offseason. For weeks, the Tigers had only four players listed on their team website! Seriously, almost half the roster was in eligibility limbo, with guys holding out for a fifth year or international players waiting for clearance.
They managed to scrape together just seven players for their 63-60 win over McNeese, which, honestly, is kinda impressive they even pulled out a W with that short a bench. The good news for them? Former UCLA star Donovan Dent made his debut, so at least there’s a new face in the mix who can play. Still, it feels like they’ve got a ton to figure out before the season gets real.
What’s Next for College Hoops?
Beyond the headliners, a few other players stood out in Thursday’s scrimmages, with Duke’s Dame Sarr and Alabama’s Brandon Garrison getting some nods. And Boumtje Boumtje isn’t the only one who’s going to be playing at a super young age and has to wait for his draft year. Texas’ Marcus Spears Jr. and UCLA’s Nikola Kusturica are in the same boat, needing at least two college seasons before declaring for the draft.
With the season kicking off in just over three weeks, these scrimmages are just a taste of what’s to come. For Duke, it’s about refining that No. 2 team chemistry and seeing how quickly Boumtje Boumtje integrates. For LSU, it’s a mad dash to get their roster figured out. It’s gonna be a wild one, folks, and we’re just getting started!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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