Maliq Brown Shocks Fans with Bold Pick for Most Impressive Duke Basketball Freshman

As the 2023-2024 Duke basketball season looms on the horizon, the Blue Devils’ fanbase is buzzing with anticipation over the team’s roster and the newcomers who could make an immediate impact. While Duke has always been a destination for some of the best high school talent in the nation, it’s rare to get a clear sense of who the true standout freshman will be until the season officially kicks off. However, one of the team’s veteran players, Maliq Brown, just dropped a bombshell during a recent podcast appearance that’s got fans talking: when asked which freshman has impressed him the most, his response took everyone by surprise.

Known for his defensive versatility, leadership, and basketball IQ, Brown has quickly become one of the core figures on this year’s Duke roster. But it’s his unexpected choice of freshman that has shocked fans and raised more than a few eyebrows. Duke’s incoming freshmen class is loaded with talent, headlined by highly touted players like TJ Power and Mackenzie Mgbako, but Brown’s pick may leave many fans reconsidering their expectations for the season.

In this blog post, we break down the shocking revelation, explore why it might be significant, and dive into how the freshman in question could potentially make a bigger impact than anyone anticipated.

When Maliq Brown was asked who has impressed him the most among the Blue Devils’ freshmen, fans expected him to name one of the big names—players like TJ Power, a 6’9″ forward with an exceptional shooting stroke, or Mackenzie Mgbako, a highly versatile 5-star wing who is known for his elite scoring ability and athleticism. These players were, after all, the top recruits, and many had penciled them in as future stars of the program.

But to the surprise of everyone, Brown gave a completely different answer.

“The freshman that’s really impressed me the most is actually Jaden Schutt,” Brown said without hesitation. “I know a lot of people might not expect that, but Jaden has been out here doing things that are really special. His shooting, his confidence, and how he’s handled himself with the older guys on the team—it’s been really impressive.”

Jaden Schutt, a 6’5″ guard, wasn’t exactly the name that most fans expected to hear when discussing the Blue Devils’ freshman standouts. While he’s certainly talented and has been solid in his high school career, Schutt was often overshadowed by the likes of Power and Mgbako, who were widely seen as more well-rounded, immediate-impact players. But Brown’s endorsement immediately piqued the curiosity of fans, with many eager to see what this freshman could do in Duke’s high-pressure environment.

Schutt, a four-star recruit, was known primarily for his sharp shooting and perimeter scoring ability, but there were questions about how he’d fare adjusting to the higher level of competition at Duke. His role on the team, too, was unclear. Would he be a valuable bench player or could he carve out a starting role?

For Brown to pick Schutt, especially given the competition for minutes among Duke’s star-studded freshman class, was nothing short of a statement.

Maliq Brown isn’t just any player—he’s one of Duke’s most experienced and respected veterans. Having been through the grind of a top-tier program, Brown’s insight into what it takes to succeed at this level carries weight. When he singles out a freshman as someone who has “really impressed” him, that should grab attention.

Let’s break down what makes this endorsement from Brown even more significant:

1. Brown’s Leadership and Experience Matter
   Brown has been through the fire, having played at a high level at Syracuse before transferring to Duke. His transition into the Blue Devils’ program has been smooth, thanks to his experience, discipline, and understanding of what it takes to succeed in a program of Duke’s caliber. For him to choose Schutt means he has seen something in the freshman that might not be immediately obvious to outsiders. Brown knows what it takes to thrive at Duke, and for him to identify Schutt as someone who stands out means that this freshman has proven himself to be a significant presence in practice.

2. Schutt’s Shooting Could Be Duke’s Secret Weapon
   Schutt’s shooting ability has always been his calling card. Coming out of Rock Island High School, Schutt built a reputation as one of the best shooters in his class, with a high basketball IQ to boot. But what impressed Brown most was Schutt’s confidence on the court. In a program that prides itself on developing players who excel in both defense and offense, Schutt’s ability to shoot the ball from deep could be the missing piece that Duke needs in terms of spacing the floor and adding another scoring threat. In particular, Brown mentioned how Schutt has quickly adapted to Duke’s fast-paced offensive system and already has great chemistry with point guard Tyrese Proctor, who will likely be the primary facilitator for the team this season.

3. Schutt’s Mentality Is Right for Duke
   For any freshman to stand out in a program like Duke, it’s not just about physical talent. It’s about the mental toughness and mindset that players bring to the table. Schutt’s ability to adjust quickly to the rigors of a high-caliber program, especially when surrounded by such competition, speaks volumes about his preparation and maturity. His ability to handle adversity, remain confident, and show up in pressure situations is key for someone hoping to make an immediate impact. For Brown to mention Schutt’s composure and confidence, especially in a pressure-packed environment, suggests that Schutt could be more mentally ready for the challenge than many had originally thought.

4. The Path to Playing Time
   Schutt’s shooting ability and work ethic put him in a great position to earn playing time this season. With Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor already solidifying their places in the starting lineup, and Duke’s frontcourt packed with talented players like Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell, the battle for wing minutes could have been a tough one for Schutt. However, if he continues to impress in practice and in any exhibition games, his ability to shoot from the perimeter could force Coach Jon Scheyer to find minutes for him. Duke has always been a team that plays multiple styles, and Schutt’s ability to stretch the floor and space the defense could make him an invaluable asset. If his defense and overall game continue to improve, Schutt might even carve out a bigger role than expected.

Duke’s roster for the upcoming season is stacked with talent, so it was expected that the Blue Devils would have some competition for minutes, particularly among their freshman class. However, with Brown’s endorsement of Schutt, it’s clear that Duke might have an even deeper, more versatile squad than many thought. If Schutt’s shooting ability continues to flourish and he proves to be more than just a spot-up shooter, he could become a game-changer for Duke.

Here’s how Schutt’s rise could impact Duke’s season:

• Spacing the Floor: As mentioned, Schutt’s shooting could be a key factor in helping the Blue Devils space the floor. With players like Filipowski and Mitchell clogging the paint, Schutt’s ability to stretch defenses could create more opportunities for Duke’s interior players to operate.

• Depth Off the Bench: If Schutt can earn meaningful minutes, he could provide a much-needed spark off the bench, adding another layer of depth to an already stacked squad.

• Scoring Threat: While Mgbako and Power are likely to be featured more prominently in Duke’s offense, Schutt’s ability to shoot could make him an additional scoring threat, providing relief when the primary scorers are being locked down or facing tough matchups.

In a season that could see Duke as one of the top teams in the nation, any player who can contribute in a meaningful way—especially in the areas of shooting and spacing—could be the key to the Blue Devils’ success in March. If Schutt continues to impress in practice and in the early games of the season, he could become a key part of Coach Scheyer’s rotation, making him an invaluable asset on a team with championship aspirations.

Maliq Brown’s pick of Jaden Schutt as the most impressive freshman isn’t just a compliment—it’s a wake-up call for the fanbase. Schutt’s shooting ability and overall basketball IQ might just be the hidden gem in Duke’s freshman class, and the fact that Brown, one of the team’s leaders, is speaking so highly of him means that Schutt could play a much bigger role in the upcoming season than anyone anticipated.

As the Blue Devils prepare for what promises to be another exciting season, it’s clear that this freshman class is packed with talent. But with Schutt’s rise and Brown’s endorsement, Duke fans should be paying close attention to this versatile, sharpshooting guard who could surprise a lot of people in the months ahead.