Headline:
“Full Court Impact: Duke’s Jon Scheyer Launches Game-Changing Foundation for Youth Athletes”
Article:
In a bold move that extends his legacy far beyond the hardwood, Duke men’s basketball head coach Jon Scheyer has officially launched the Scheyer Impact Foundation, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young athletes on and off the court. The announcement, made during a press conference at Cameron Indoor Stadium, stunned the basketball community—not just for its ambition, but for its heart.
The foundation will focus on three core pillars: access to elite-level training, mental health support, and educational enrichment. Its mission is to close the opportunity gap many young athletes face due to economic hardship or lack of local resources. The first pilot programs are set to launch in Durham, Chicago (Scheyer’s hometown), and select rural areas across North Carolina.
“This is about more than basketball,” Scheyer said passionately. “It’s about building strong, confident young people who are equipped for life. Too many talented kids never get their shot—not because of ability, but because of access. That ends now.”
The Scheyer Impact Foundation is already backed by a powerful coalition of former Duke players, NBA stars, educators, and mental health professionals. Notably, Jayson Tatum, Grant Hill, and Shane Battier have publicly pledged their support, with Tatum calling the initiative “one of the most important things to ever come out of the Duke basketball family.”
What sets the foundation apart is its unique dual-track system. One track, called The Grind, offers rigorous athletic training led by NCAA and NBA-level coaches. The second track, The Balance, provides free access to tutors, mentors, therapists, and workshops focusing on emotional intelligence, leadership, and financial literacy. The foundation also plans to offer scholarships and internships for high school juniors and seniors showing exceptional promise both on the court and in the classroom.
Scheyer, who took over the Duke program from the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, has quickly built a reputation as a forward-thinking leader deeply invested in his players’ development beyond the game. His approach to coaching—a blend of discipline, empathy, and innovation—has already yielded success on the court. Now, he’s taking that vision into the wider world.
“This foundation is personal to me,” Scheyer said. “I know what it’s like to grow up in a working-class neighborhood and dream big. I had people invest in me—coaches, teachers, my parents—and now it’s my turn to do that for the next generation.”
The first Scheyer Impact Summit is scheduled for fall 2025, with expected appearances from Duke alumni, sports icons, and educators nationwide. The foundation is also launching a digital platform where kids anywhere in the U.S. can sign up for virtual mentorships and training sessions.
In a time when college athletics is evolving rapidly—through NIL deals, transfer portals, and increasing scrutiny—Jon Scheyer is staking his name on something timeless: the power of opportunity. With the Scheyer Impact Foundation, he’s redefining what it means to be a coach, a leader, and a champion for youth.
