Duke University announced on May 12, 2025, that it had added another transfer to its roster, Jack Scott from Princeton. The 6’6″ senior guard, who averaged a modest 1.6 points, 0.8 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game in his limited playing time last season, has sparked considerable debate among fans and critics.
Many Duke followers are questioning the program’s decision to add a player with such limited experience to the team.
Fans Express Their Anguish Towards Duke’s Newest Recruit Jack Scott
One such discussion erupted on the r/CollegeBasketball subreddit, initiated by a post from user u/FervFervington. In the replies to the post, fans didn’t hold back in their criticism of the young player.
User u/FervFervington shared the news of Jack Scott’s arrival on the team in a post on r/CollegeBasketball. In the comment section, one fan expressed his opinions, without mincing his words: “This kid can’t play. He was the 10th man on a meh Princeton team. How does a guy who shoots 25% from the field and 45% from the line get a spot at Duke? He’s a shooting guard who can’t shoot at all.”
Princeton transfer Jack Scott commits to Duke
byu/FervFervington inCollegeBasketball
Another commenter echoed this disbelief, questioning the transfer portal’s effectiveness in this situation: “He’s horrible! I don’t get why coaches are treating all of these transfers like gold.
Many are basically pushed out because they’re not good enough. And then most of the rest think they’re better than they are while shooting 25% from 3 & 60% at the line, hoping to get that huge payout from some sucker in a major conference.”
However, not all reactions entirely dismissed Scott. Some fans speculated that his role might extend beyond the statistical contributions. One Redditor suggested he is a “culture fit and boosts the GPA of the team,” implying Scott’s value could lie in intangible aspects like academic performance.
Another fan offered a more plausible take, stating that Scott is a “Practice body. Makes sense to fill out the last couple roster spots with them.” These viewpoints align with coach Jon Scheyer’s history of prioritizing team chemistry, a philosophy also emphasized by former coach Mike Krzyzewski.
As the son of Joe Scott, a former Princeton player and coach who currently leads Air Force, Jack brings a basketball lineage that Scheyer often values. Players like Pat Ngongba and the Boozer twins, who are also sons of basketball figures, are a good example of this pattern.
Duke’s current roster, featuring talents such as Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, and the Boozer twins, is positioned for a strong showing in the 2025-26 season. With 12 of 15 scholarships filled (pending Cedric Coward’s NBA draft decision), Scott’s specific role remains uncertain.
Some speculate he will be a valuable practice partner for the starters, while others believe he is a development project for the coaching staff.
Scott’s 1.7 points per game and limited usage at Princeton (16% last season, down from 25% as a freshman) don’t suggest he will be a significant on-court contributor. His shooting struggles (25% from the field and 45% from the free-throw line) further fuel doubts about his ability to make a meaningful impact in the competitive ACC.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
Scheyer is Scott’s best hope if he aims for a stable career in the sport and eventually wins over the skeptical fans.
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