In the early stages of the 2024-2025 college basketball season, freshman Isaiah Evans has quickly become a standout for the Duke Blue Devils. Hailing from Huntersville, North Carolina, Evans entered Duke as a highly touted recruit, and his recent performances have begun to showcase his immense potential on the collegiate stage.
High School Accolades and Recruitment
Before donning the Blue Devils’ jersey, Evans had an illustrious high school career at North Mecklenburg High School. Standing at 6-foot-6, he was a consensus five-star recruit and ranked among the top players nationally in the 2024 class. His senior year was particularly impressive, averaging 27.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, leading his team to a 30-3 record and a Class 4A state championship. These achievements earned him the title of North Carolina Mr. Basketball for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024.
Evans committed to Duke over offers from several prestigious programs, including Kansas, NC State, Tennessee, Texas, Auburn, and Florida State. He signed his National Letter of Intent on November 13, 2023, during the early signing period, marking the beginning of his journey with the Blue Devils.
Early Contributions at Duke
Since joining Duke, Evans has wasted no time in making his presence felt. In the season opener against Army West Point on November 8, 2024, he scored his first collegiate points, connecting on a three-pointer and completing a three-point play, totaling six points in nine minutes of action.
His breakout performance came on December 4, 2024, in a high-stakes matchup against No. 2 Auburn. Coming off the bench, Evans ignited the offense with 18 first-half points, courtesy of six three-pointers. His sharpshooting was instrumental in Duke’s 84-78 victory, earning him widespread praise from coaches, teammates, and fans alike.
Reflecting on his performance, Evans stated, “I’m used to being a flamethrower. I’m just happy I could contribute.” His readiness to seize the moment underscores his confidence and preparation.
Coach Scheyer’s Perspective
Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, has been vocal about Evans’ work ethic and attitude. “I’m just going to tell you how proud I am of Isaiah Evans,” Scheyer remarked. “The attitude he’s had every day in practice – coming up to the coaches and not working on shooting, believe it or not, but wanting to work on his defense or work on his rebounding or understanding rotations and coverages – I think it’s a great lesson for young players.”
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Evans’ role is expected to expand. His versatility as a guard/forward, combined with his scoring ability and commitment to improving other facets of his game, positions him as a valuable asset for the Blue Devils. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his contributions will influence Duke’s pursuit of success this season.
In a program renowned for producing NBA talent, Isaiah Evans appears poised to continue that tradition, bringing energy, skill, and determination to the court. As he continues to develop under Coach Scheyer’s guidance, the future looks bright for this emerging star.
