In a surprising and somewhat disappointing twist for Duke basketball fans, the Blue Devils have lost out on a highly coveted transfer target. Former Rice standout and 6-foot-6 veteran guard Cameron Sheffield has officially committed to Virginia Tech, choosing the Hokies over interest from several high-major programs — including Duke.
Sheffield’s decision comes as a shock to many who believed the Blue Devils were in strong position to land the experienced wing. Known for his length, versatility, and defensive prowess, Sheffield would have brought valuable maturity and toughness to Jon Scheyer’s young and talented roster. Instead, he heads to a Virginia Tech program that continues to quietly build one of the more intriguing rosters in the ACC.
“Cameron is a winner,” said a source close to the Hokies program. “He’s exactly the kind of player who fits [head coach] Mike Young’s system — long, skilled, and capable of doing the little things that help you win games in March.”
Sheffield averaged 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game last season at Rice, while shooting nearly 37% from three. His defensive versatility — being able to guard multiple positions — made him a high-priority target in the portal for several Power 5 programs.
For Duke, the miss stings. While the Blue Devils still boast one of the most talented rosters in the country, the staff had been actively looking to add a veteran presence on the wing to balance out the young core led by five-star freshmen like Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans, and Kon Knueppel.
Though this loss won’t derail Duke’s championship ambitions, it does highlight the growing competitiveness in the transfer portal — where programs like Virginia Tech can now go toe-to-toe with traditional bluebloods and win.
As for Sheffield, the Hokies are getting a battle-tested, two-way guard who’s expected to play major minutes from day one and help elevate Virginia Tech back into the thick of the ACC race.
Leave a Reply