Thank You Jon Scheyer

As a Special Assistant, Assistant Coach, Associate Head Coach at Duke to now retired Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Jon Scheyer helped spark the Blue Devils to two ACC championships and the 2010 NCAA title as a player from 2007-10, has helped Duke compile a 219-62 (.779) record, a national championship (2015), two Final Fours (2015, 2022) and two ACC Tournament crowns (2017, 2019) during his time as an assistant or associate head coach.He helped mentor Tyus Jones in Duke’s 2015 national title season, as the Blue Devils finished the year ranked third nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency. Jones was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in Indianapolis and was a first-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft after just one college season.

In 2017, Jon Scheyer helped mold Luke Kennard into a consensus All-American after a breakout sophomore season that saw him rank second in the ACC in scoring and three-point field goal percentage. He also helped develop Frank Jackson into one of the most dynamic young guards in the country during the 2016-17 campaign.

Luke Kennard and Frank Jackson were selected 12th and 31st overall, respectively, in the 2017 NBA Draft.

After Grayson Allen finished his career in 2018 as the 12th-leading scorer in Duke history with 1,996 points, he was drafted in the first round by the Utah Jazz. Allen joined Scheyer as two of just five Blue Devils in history with 1,900 or more points, 400 or more rebounds and 400 or more assists (Grant Hill, Danny Ferry, Johnny Dawkins).

The 2019 campaign saw Tyus’ brother Tre enjoy a breakout year as a freshman by setting the program’s single-season record for assist-to-turnover ratio (3.62), while establishing himself as one of the nation’s premier defensive players. Jones’ classmate, RJ Barrett, finished his remarkable freshman season at Duke as a consensus first-team All-American, the USA Today National Player of the Year, and the overall No. 3 selection in the NBA Draft.

R.J. Barrett broke a myriad of program and ACC records, including both the Duke and conference freshman scoring record with 860 points. His 860 points were surpassed on the program’s single-season scoring list by only J.J. Redick’s 964 points as a senior in 2006. Barrett averaged 22.6 points and was the only major conference player in 2018-19 to score 13+ points in every game of the season.

Under Jon Scheyer’s guidance, Tre Jones parlayed his phenomenal freshman season into a decorated sophomore campaign that ended with him as the 2020 ACC Player of the Year, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and an All-American. After two seasons as the starting point guard, Jones declared for the NBA Draft, leaving Duke as the program’s career record-holder in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.88) and ranking third in assists per game (5.8).

Throughout the 2021-22 season, Jon Scheyer worked closely with ACC Freshman of the Year and consensus second-team All-American Paolo Banchero. He also helped guide second-team All-ACC pick Wendell Moore Jr., into performing as one of the nation's most complete players. Moore capped his season winning the Julius Erving Award as the nation's best small forward.

Paolo Banchero capped his collegiate career as the overall No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, one of a record five Blue Devils drafted in 2022, including four in the first round. In Jon Scheyer’s time at Duke, he has helped mentor 26 Blue Devils to be drafted – 20 being first round selections.
”According to Jon Scheyer’s biography on goduke.com”

As a player for Duke for now retired Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Jon Scheyer was one of the most versatile players in Duke history, concluding his playing career as the only player in school history to record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 three-point field goals and 200 steals. He averaged 14.4 points per game while scoring in double figures 114 times (sixth-most in Duke history) and leading the Blue Devils to a 115-29 (.799) record.

A two-time team captain, Jon Scheyer scored 2,077-career points and still ranks 10th on Duke’s all-time scoring list. He ranks third in Duke history in free throws made (608), fourth in free throw percentage (.861) and three-point field goals made (297) and sixth in free throw attempts (706). He played in 144 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in Duke history.

“According to Jon Scheyer’s biography on goduke.com”

30 days ago  Jon Scheyer’s inaugural season as Duke Head Coach concluded with 65-52 loss to Tennessee in second round of NCAA Tournament.  At that time I couldn’t put my thoughts into words because I was frustrated, upset that Duke lost because I had enjoyed watching  Jon Scheyer coach his inaugural season as Duke Head Coach in person from my seat upstairs inside Cameron Indoor Stadium Section 8, Row C, Seat 17 when  Duke played opponents inside Cameron Indoor Stadium the stadium that seats 9,314 fans, spectators (Cameron Crazies) when I looked across court I see  press row, Stephen Wiseman who writes about Duke for the News & Observer! 

30 days have passed since Jon Scheyer’s 2022-2023 season concluded . 14 days have passed since the 2022-2023  College Basketball season officially concluded with UConn who is coached by former Duke player guard, current Arizona State Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s brother  Dan Hurley was crowned National Champions on April 3, 2023 in Houston Texas with Uconn 76 - 59 win over San Diego State I am ready to share my thoughts on Jon Scheyer’s inaugural season as Duke Head Coach!

Thank you Jon Scheyer for being yourself not Mike Krzyzewski as you were coaching your inaugural season as Duke Head Coach.

 Even if a lot of Duke fans, spectators including the ones I sit with as a spectator at games  wanted you to be like your mentor former Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski who you replaced and wanted you to show a-lot of emotion as they wanted you to be the coach who raised your  voice at referees, your team. Every time they wanted you to show a lot of emotion my response was that isn’t how Jon Scheyer conducts himself as a Head Coach  as Jon Scheyer is a Head Coach who is more laid back. Though, will show emotion when it’s necessary. 

Thank you Jon Scheyer for showing Duke fans, spectators (Cameron Crazies) as you coached your inaugural season as Duke Head Coach your inaugural team  in 2022-2023 season who you led Duke to an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship in your inaugural season as Duke Head Coach though Duke your team also had some adversity to deal with this season that included injuries to Dereck Lively II, Dariq Whitehead who have declared for the NBA Draft following them playing their freshman seasons at Duke that though Mike Krzyzewski isn’t the Head Coach anymore that Duke is in great hands will continue to compete for championships for seasons for years to come with you as Duke Head Coach. 

Abigail Baggett