Duke basketball: Sean Stewart doubles down on championship aspirations

The championship aspirations that surround the Duke basketball team are not leaving.

Mackenzie Mgbako made headlines on Monday afternoon saying that he expected a ‘chip’ while with the Duke basketball program next season and his future teammate, Sean Stewart, doubled down on that aspiration.

Emotions were running high in the press conference room with the future Blue Devils at the McDonald’s All-American Game after Duke point guard Tyrese Proctor announced earlier in the day that he would be returning to Durham for his sophomore season.

Proctor, initially a 2023 recruit, reclassified to join the program a year early and showcased his skillset by averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game and remained close with the Duke senior signees throughout the season.

“I’m really excited,” Stewart told the media on Monday about Proctor’s return.

ALSO READ: Mackenzie Mgbako expects a ‘chip’ with Duke

“I already sent him a text and he texted me back [saying] that he’s really excited to come back and get it going.”

Incoming five-star shooting guard Jared McCain said he was “hyped” when he leaned about the return of Tyrese Proctor.

“It’s great to have him back so we have an experienced guard who has been through it and been to the tournament…he’ll be really good to help Jared [McCain] and Caleb [Foster],” Stewart continued.

Duke boasts the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports, headlined by five-star prospects Mgbako, Stewart, McCain, Foster, and TJ Power.

Duke basketball recruits expecting major results in Durham

Mackenzie Mgabko explained his perspective of expecting a championship with Tyrese Proctor back in the fold and Sean Stewart might have taken that to the next step.

“We can go to the championship for sure,” Stewart said when asked how far the 2023-24 Blue Devils could go with all the talent it’s expected to have on its roster.

“And win it.”

ALSO READ: Jared McCain ‘hyped’ to finally play with Tyrese Proctor

The Australian native shot 38.1-percent from the floor and 32.0-percent from 3-point range last season but turned heads during his 16-point performance, on 6-of-13 shooting, against Tennessee in the Round of 32.

Duke has yet to receive official word on the future plans from the rest of its current freshmen class, along with junior point guard Jeremy Roach, but announcements are expected within the coming days.