Jon Scheyer addresses Coach K's illness, timeline on return
With legendary Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski sidelined for the Blue Devils’ game Wednesday night at Wake Forest with a non-COVID-19 related illness, Jon Scheyer – Duke’s associate head coach and coach-in-waiting – stepped in and led the team to a 76-64 win in Coach K’s absence.
As Scheyer, who will take over for Krzyzewski following his retirement at the end of the 2021-22 season, coached the Blue Devils to a big ACC road win on Wednesday, he provided an update on Coach K in his postgame press conference.
“We spoke briefly [after the game],” Scheyer said. “It was a little hectic in there, so we got him on a FaceTime. Going to give him a call right after this and talk a little bit more. It was really a developing situation. He wasn’t feeling well. We were hoping to have him back for this game. We thought it’d be closer to a game-time decision, but in his best interest, we need him to be 100%.
“That’s what he’s doing. Very optimistic that’s going to happen quickly. But, for us, we’ve just had to adjust. It’s no different from the last month that we’ve had. I feel like every day we’re just figuring it out. Who do we have – COVID and not COVID? Who’s sick and who’s healthy? Hopefully it starts to trend down where we know who’s going to be here every game.”
While the Blue Devils were able to pick up the win against Wake Forest, Scheyer said he knows that Coach K doesn’t enjoy missing games.
“I know that’s it’s killing him that he’s not here,” Scheyer said. “We wanted to get this one done for him and get him back for our game on Saturday.”
Duke is set to return to action Saturday against NC State at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ABC.
WATCH: Duke basketball celebrates Jon Scheyer’s first win as head coach
Although Jon Scheyer isn’t set to officially become Duke’s head men’s basketball coach until after the 2021-22 season when legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski retires, the Blue Devils’ associate head coach had to step in Wednesday night and lead the team in Coach K’s absence.
As Krzyzewski was sidelined due to a non-COVID-19 related illness, Scheyer served as the Blue Devils’ head coach in their game against Wake Forest – leading them to a 76-64 win. The victory for No. 8 ranked Duke moved its record to 13-2 overall.
Following Duke’s win on Wednesday, the team’s official Twitter account posted a video of the Blue Devils celebrating with Scheyer in the locker room. At the same time, they were also thinking about Coach K – using the caption, “Had to get this one for the GOAT.”