Isaiah Evans has never met a shot he didn’t like. Whether he’s wide open or heavily contested, the Duke basketball freshman plays with the confidence that every shot he takes is going in.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, who played his high school ball at North Mecklenburg in Huntersville, Isaiah Evans arrived at Duke with a reputation as a dynamic scorer. However, he needed time to adjust to the college game in other areas. Now, 27 games into his freshman season, Isaiah Evans is proving he’s more than just a shooter. He’s becoming a reliable two-way player in head coach Jon Scheyer’s rotation.
As the No. 3 Blue Devils (24-3, 15-1 ACC) prepare to take on Miami (6-21, 2-14 ACC) on Tuesday (7 p.m., ESPN), Isaiah Evans is making a strong case for an expanded role. His recent performances have drawn national attention, and his stock in the 2025 NBA Draft continues to rise. Currently projected as a second-round pick, the 19-year-old could see his draft value soar if he keeps up his high level of play.
Jon Scheyer Praises Isaiah Evans’ Growth on Both Ends of the Floor
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has been vocal about his pride in Isaiah Evans’ development. While Evans has always been confident in his offensive ability, it’s his defensive improvement that has earned him more playing time.
“I could talk forever about Isaiah Evans and how proud I am of him,” Scheyer said during the ACC’s weekly Zoom teleconference on Monday. “He’s never been hesitant to shoot in his life—he’s got supreme confidence with that. But the thing that’s really stood out is how much he’s grown on defense.”
Scheyer noted that Isaiah Evans has gotten stronger due to his work in the weight room, allowing him to move his feet better, improve his rebounding, and position himself more effectively on defense.
“He’s a two-way, big-time wing,” Scheyer added. “When he’s in there, I have full confidence in what he’s doing.”
Isaiah Evans’ numbers back up Scheyer’s words. He has scored 17 points in back-to-back games, helping Duke dominate both Virginia and Illinois. He was lights out from deep, hitting 8-of-11 three-pointers (72.7%) over those two games.
But his impact wasn’t just on offense—Isaiah Evans also pulled down multiple rebounds in consecutive games for the first time in his career. Against Virginia, he recorded two blocks, showing his defensive growth. Against Illinois, he added two assists, a season-high four fouls, and a season-best six free-throw attempts, making four of them in a strong all-around performance at Madison Square Garden.
Over his last six games, Isaiah Evans has averaged 17.3 minutes per game off the bench. His shooting has been elite—he’s drilling 45.8% of his three-point attempts this season. However, because he hasn’t played enough minutes to qualify, his percentage doesn’t appear in the NCAA’s leaderboards. If it did, Isaiah Evans would rank fifth in the country in three-point accuracy.
Scheyer believes Evans’ defensive improvement will lead to even more playing time in the final stretch of the season.
“I think the offense is clear,” Scheyer said. “But on the defensive end, the growth that Isaiah Evans has made has been really incredible, and it’s going to lead to more minutes down the stretch.”
The Two Traits That Make Isaiah Evans Special, According to Scheyer
Jon Scheyer highlighted two key traits that have impressed him the most about Isaiah Evans’ development this season: humility and competitiveness.
“His humility has been incredible to see from day one,” Scheyer said. “I didn’t realize that he had that in him. He wants the truth. He’ll ask, ‘Where am I at right now? Tell me. I’ll do whatever I have to do to work at it and get better.’”
That attitude has allowed Isaiah Evans to take coaching feedback and use it to improve, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The second thing that stands out? His competitive fire.
“He competes,” Scheyer said. “I don’t care if it’s one-on-one after practice or during games—he’s a competitor.”
Isaiah Evans showed that competitive nature early in the season when he exploded onto the national scene with six first-half three-pointers in Duke’s win over Auburn. Since then, he’s continued to make his mark, proving he can be a key contributor for the Blue Devils.
“Humility and competitiveness are two things you love because it makes him easy to coach,” Scheyer said. “You’re going to have great growth with that mindset, which Isaiah Evans has. And then he has, obviously, a natural, God-given ability in his shooting and scoring. He’s been awesome.”
What’s Next for Isaiah Evans and Duke?
As Duke gears up for the final stretch of the regular season and the ACC Tournament, Isaiah Evans’ role is only getting bigger. His elite three-point shooting, combined with his growing defensive abilities, makes him an essential weapon for the Blue Devils.
If he continues this trajectory, Isaiah Evans could significantly boost his NBA Draft stock. While he’s currently projected as a second-round pick, another strong month could push him into first-round discussions.
For now, the focus remains on helping Duke finish strong. With his coach’s trust and his game evolving in real time, Isaiah Evans is proving he’s more than just a shooter—he’s a rising star for the Blue Devils.
