Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: 'Competitive Rage' on Tap for Blue Devils Next Season

A new feature on Isaiah Evans shows what Duke basketball is set to enjoy in its "Slim" smack-talker.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball signee Isaiah Evans
Duke basketball signee Isaiah Evans / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
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The zeal of Isaiah Evans is not a question mark. Not at all. No, the 6-foot-7, 170-pound wing from Fayetteville, N.C., demonstrated his fire on the court time and again as a senior at North Meck High School, just north of Charlotte in Huntersville, on his way to becoming a McDonald's All-American and fueling a state championship.

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His toughness and fire are on full display in SLAM's latest "Day In The Life" episode. The 19-minute inside look at what makes Evans a unique prospect includes mention of a sign to look for in his body language when he's about to erupt.

"Isaiah is a passionate kid," North Meck head coach Duane Lewis explained in the video. "If he starts clapping those hands [during a game], ooh, watch out. When he starts clapping those hands really loud, everybody knows, like, 'Oh God, he's in the zone right now.'...

"He's as special of a high school player as I've seen. I just think with Isaiah, he just has a great personality...He has a competitive rage...Isaiah puts confidence in everyone."

Perhaps the fervor stems most from the fact that Evans, whose slender frame and smooth repertoire as a frequent bucket-getter bring to mind former Blue Devil one-and-done and North Carolina prep product Brandon Ingram, spent years getting heckled for, well, not being so electric with the ball in his hands. As a freshman, he was stuck on the JV team but exhibited an addiction to learning and improving his game.

"I think it's the only way I can play now," Evans, who proudly carries the "Slim" nickname and embraces his penchant for trolling opponents in entertaining fashion, noted in the feature about what drives his passion. "It was a long time period when I just wasn't good, bruh. Dudes used to talk trash to me...It sucks to suck, bro. Like, it really does. It sucks even more when someone is rubbing it in your face. Yeah, like, now that I'm the nice one, everybody gotta feel me.

"It's the only way I can get the full 'Slim.'"

Isaiah Evans, No. 14 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, ranks below two fellow members of the six-deep Duke basketball class: Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg at No. 1 and NBA Academy Africa five-star center Khaman Maluach at No. 6. The other three incoming Blue Devils are Wisconsin Lutheran five-star forward Kon Knueppel (No. 17) and two Paul VI Catholic (Va.) sensations in five-star big man Patrick Ngongba II (No. 23) and four-star wing Darren Harris (No. 54).

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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