In a move that’s sent ripples through the college basketball landscape, Stanley Borden, the beloved 7-foot center and walk-on for the Duke Blue Devils, has officially announced his transfer to the UTSA Roadrunners. The news, which broke on Friday, June 20, 2025, has been met with a mixture of surprise and well-wishes from Duke fans, who affectionately nicknamed Borden “Beep Beep” for his enthusiastic, if sometimes unconventional, contributions from the bench and his viral, saxophone-playing antics.
Borden’s decision to leave Duke after four years with the program, including a season under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, marks a significant personal step for the big man. For UTSA, it represents a remarkable acquisition, bringing in a highly intelligent and popular player with Power Five experience, albeit one who has seen limited game action.
Stanley Borden arrived at Duke in 2021, joining the team as a walk-on during Coach K’s final season. While never a scholarship player and seeing extremely limited minutes on the court (a total of 10 minutes across five games in his four years, with three rebounds, one block, and still searching for his first collegiate points), Borden quickly became a fan favorite. His infectious personality, unwavering dedication in practice, and particularly his memorable “Midnight Madness” performance as a sophomore – where he emerged in a trench coat and sunglasses, then revealed a saxophone to play for the Cameron Crazies – endeared him to the Duke community. That viral moment cemented his “Beep Beep” moniker and showcased his unique charm.
Borden’s time at Duke, despite the lack of playing time, was far from unproductive. He earned a degree in computer science, demonstrating his academic prowess. More importantly, as he himself stated in a phone interview from Istanbul (where his family resides), he had the invaluable experience of practicing daily against some of the nation’s elite talent. “Being around Dereck Lively II, Paolo Banchero, Cooper Flagg, as well as other great college players made me immensely better,” Borden said. He learned from the best, observing firsthand the dedication and skill required at the highest level of collegiate basketball. He was also the final player still in college who had the unique opportunity to play for Coach K, making his departure a symbolic end of an era for some.
However, after four years of contributing primarily from the bench and dealing with injuries (he didn’t play his junior year due to an elbow injury and a finger that needed re-attaching after a weight room accident), Borden, who has one year of eligibility remaining, made the decision to enter the transfer portal. His motivation was clear: he wants to play.
“I was talking to a bunch of schools late in the process and many of them were starting their summer workouts right now,” Borden explained. “There’s opportunity to compete for time and also develop. They want to help you get better and make you a better player.” He reportedly had interest from “a few dozen schools,” indicating his walk-on status at Duke didn’t diminish his appeal to programs seeking size and experience.
Borden’s commitment to the UTSA Roadrunners marks a new chapter in his collegiate career. The University of Texas at San Antonio, a program in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), provides him with the opportunity he has been seeking – a chance to compete for significant playing time in his final season.
UTSA is undergoing a roster overhaul, with Head Coach Steve Henson actively utilizing the transfer portal to reshape his team. The Roadrunners finished the 2024-25 season with a 12-19 overall record (6-12 in AAC play), and they are clearly looking to improve. Borden is part of a substantial wave of new additions, including six Division I transfers, two junior college transfers, and a pair of freshmen. This influx of new talent suggests a competitive environment where Borden will have a genuine opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation.
For UTSA, Borden brings more than just his 7-foot frame. He brings the experience of being part of an elite program, the knowledge gained from practicing against future NBA players, and a strong academic background (with his computer science degree from Duke). While his lack of consistent D1 game experience makes his on-court impact somewhat of a projection, his size, work ethic, and team-first attitude are valuable assets for any program. The “Beep Beep” personality might even bring a new level of fan engagement to the Roadrunners, a welcome bonus for the program.
Borden’s transfer is a microcosm of the current landscape of college basketball. The NCAA transfer portal has fundamentally reshaped roster construction, allowing players like Borden to seek opportunities for increased playing time and different roles, while giving coaches the flexibility to quickly rebuild or augment their teams.
For walk-ons at high-major programs, the transfer portal is particularly impactful. These players dedicate immense time and effort to practice, contribute to team culture, and often push scholarship players, but their path to game minutes is usually blocked by more heralded recruits. The portal provides them with a viable avenue to finish their careers playing a more significant role at a different institution.
For Duke, Borden’s departure is a minor blip on the radar in terms of on-court impact. Coach Jon Scheyer’s program continues to attract elite talent, with another top-ranked recruiting class incoming, featuring the likes of Cameron and Cayden Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia, Dame Sarr, and Sebastian Wilkins. While Duke fans will miss his presence on the bench and his engaging personality, his departure doesn’t alter the team’s championship aspirations. He is the only player from last season’s Blue Devils (walk-on or scholarship) who entered the transfer portal, highlighting the stability of Scheyer’s roster.
However, Borden’s story underscores the value of every member of a collegiate team, regardless of their role. He was a “glue guy” and a beloved figure who contributed significantly to the team’s positive locker room environment and practice intensity. His journey also serves as an inspiration, showcasing that dedication and patience can eventually lead to the opportunity desired, even if it means taking a different path.
As Stanley Borden embarks on his final collegiate season as a UTSA Roadrunner, the “Beep Beep” faithful from Durham will undoubtedly be rooting for him to finally get his first collegiate points and to showcase his growth and unique personality on a bigger stage. His transfer is a poignant reminder of the personal journeys within college basketball and the ever-evolving nature of the sport’s landscape.
