The Duke basketball program always brings high expectations into every season, but few players in the 2025-26 campaign will have as much attention on them as sophomore sharpshooter Isaiah Evans.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and hailing from North Carolina, Evans turned heads during his freshman season. Despite limited playing time, he made a huge impact by hitting 41.6% of his three-pointers and averaging 6.8 points per game in just 13.7 minutes of action. Many believed Evans might jump to the NBA, as he was projected as a second-round pick in several mock drafts. However, he chose to return to Durham for a second year — and Duke basketball fans couldn’t be happier.
Now, with a starting role all but guaranteed, let’s dive into what fans can realistically expect from Isaiah Evans in the upcoming season.
Expanded Role, Expanded Minutes
In 2024-25, three different Blue Devils logged over 30 minutes per game. Given Evans’ skill set and rising star status, it’s a safe bet he’ll join that group this season. When you project his freshman production over 30 minutes, Evans averaged an impressive 14.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
Of course, stepping into a bigger role often changes a player’s game slightly. The key for Evans will be adjusting to being on the floor consistently rather than being deployed strategically for quick bursts of offense. As a mainstay in the rotation, he’ll be asked to contribute steadily on both ends of the floor, not just when the Blue Devils need a three-point spark.
Shooting the Lights Out
Every time Isaiah Evans stepped onto the court last season, Coach Jon Scheyer had a simple directive for him: shoot the ball. And shoot he did. Despite playing fewer minutes than many of his teammates, Evans attempted 149 three-pointers — the third-most on the team.
It’s natural to wonder if his incredible 41.3% shooting from deep can hold up with an even larger workload. While some regression could happen — it’s tough for anyone to maintain that clip over more attempts — Evans has already proven he’s one of the purest shooters in college basketball. Expect him to be the centerpiece of Duke’s perimeter attack.
One thing fans should keep in mind: it’s unlikely Evans will keep averaging a three-pointer every three minutes the way he did in limited action. Sustaining that type of efficiency with more minutes is tough for even the best sharpshooters. But there’s no doubt he’ll be one of the most feared shooters in the ACC.
More Impact on the Boards
Late last season, Evans showed signs of becoming a better rebounder, grabbing 1.7 boards per game over Duke’s final 13 regular-season contests. With frontcourt stars like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel heading to the NBA Draft, there will be more loose balls up for grabs.
Even with talented big men like Patrick Ngongba II and Cameron Boozer holding down the paint, Duke basketball always expects its guards and wings to help on the glass. Evans will likely be asked to crash the boards more often, and a slight boost in his rebounding numbers should be expected.
Adding a stronger rebounding presence will not only help Duke but could also round out Evans’ overall game, making him even more attractive to NBA scouts when he declares for the draft in the future.
Playmaking Expectations
While Isaiah Evans will have a bigger role offensively, don’t expect him to suddenly become Duke’s primary ball-handler. With junior Caleb Foster returning and four-star freshman Cayden Boozer coming in, the Blue Devils’ backcourt will be well-equipped with strong facilitators.
Coach Scheyer may still be looking to add another pure point guard through recruiting or the transfer portal to round out the 2025-26 rotation, but regardless, Evans’ job will mainly focus on scoring, spacing the floor, and knocking down shots rather than setting up teammates.
Think of him as the ultimate weapon on the wing — someone who can stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities simply by being on the floor.
All-ACC Potential
With a bigger role, more minutes, and another year of development under his belt, Isaiah Evans is poised to become one of the ACC’s breakout stars.
He has all the tools: size, shooting touch, basketball IQ, and growing confidence. If he continues to shoot around 40% from three-point range, stays active on the boards, and fits seamlessly into an offense loaded with talent, Evans should be firmly in the conversation for All-ACC honors by the end of the season.
A reasonable expectation for Evans in 2025-26 would be averages around 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist per game. Those numbers would not only make him one of Duke basketball’s go-to guys but also keep him firmly on NBA draft boards.
Final Thoughts
Isaiah Evans is stepping into the spotlight, and Duke basketball fans have every reason to be excited. His electric shooting and growing all-around game could make him one of the ACC’s most entertaining players next season.
With an expanded role, more minutes, and the trust of Coach Scheyer, Evans isn’t just a player to watch — he’s a player who could help drive Duke deep into March.
Get ready, Cameron Crazies. The Isaiah Evans era is about to take off.