Cayden Boozer, Dame Sarr, and Sebastian Wilkins, all freshmen at Duke University, opened up about their experiences with coaching and personal growth during the latest episode of the Brotherhood Podcast. The episode, hosted by Boozer, offered insight into how the trio is adapting to college basketball under the guidance of their coaching staff.
Boozer emphasized the impact of live coaching sessions led by assistant coach KJ, which the players have been attending since the summer. “You gotta give a lot of credit to KJ, just the—all the, like, the live stuff, because I feel like that’s the stuff that like, translates the most,” Boozer said. He added that the growth is visible across the entire team, whether freshman, transfer, or returning player.
He also mentioned the role of Jace, presumably a teammate or mentor, in his development. “Big homie Jace, you know, he—he helps me in my development, you know.” Alongside live coaching, Boozer praised the team's approach to film study. “Also a big part of development is watching film. I feel like our coaches just do a great job of watching film with us. Great job.” He highlighted the transparency of the coaching staff in communicating areas needing improvement as well as strengths.
Boozer stressed the importance of accepting criticism to improve, telling his fellow freshmen that the coaches’ honesty is part of the reason they came to Duke. “If you want to get better, you have to be able to accept criticism, so… and hey, that’s why you come here, cuz they gonna tell you the truth. They gonna tell you what you need to get better at.” He advised new players to listen carefully, saying, “The first thing I say is, as long as you listen, you know, the coaches want the best for you, you know. So understanding that, and as long as you listen, you going to get better.”
Wilkins, who is a redshirt freshman, joined Boozer and Sarr in the conversation, though the podcast excerpt focused mainly on Boozer’s reflections. The episode is the 82nd installment of the Brotherhood Podcast and is available on YouTube and various podcast players.
The trio arrived at Duke last year, and their dialogue in the episode reveals the adjustments and learning curves freshmen face in a program known for its demanding standards. Boozer’s comments underline the blend of direct coaching, film study, and peer support that shapes their development.
The podcast episode offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of Duke’s young players as they navigate the transition from high school to college basketball, highlighting the role of honest feedback and consistent work in their growth. The latest Brotherhood Podcast can be streamed now for those interested in hearing more from Boozer, Sarr, and Wilkins.
According to Yahoo Sports.
