The Duke Blue Devils' roster is set for a shakeup as freshman small forward Nikolas Khamenia plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report from On3. The 6'8" wing spent one season in Durham, appearing in 38 games and averaging 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.4% from the field.
Khamenia arrived at Duke as a highly-touted four-star recruit from Harvard-Westlake in California, ranked as the No. 4 small forward in the 2025 class. His decision to explore new opportunities underscores the fluid nature of modern college basketball rosters, where the transfer portal has become a pivotal part of team building.
He won't be entering the portal alone. Teammate Darren Harris, a sophomore guard, also plans to seek a transfer. Harris appeared in 36 games this past season, averaging 3.3 points, and showcased his scoring potential with a 16-point outburst against Notre Dame in February. A former four-star prospect himself, Harris will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
These moves signal a period of transition for Coach Jon Scheyer's program as they look to retool for the upcoming season. For players like Khamenia and Harris, the portal offers a chance for a fresh start and an opportunity to find a system where they can maximize their talent and playing time.
