Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Has 'Absolute Killer' in In-State Newcomer

All indications are that Duke basketball freshman Isaiah Evans is ready to compete.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Isaiah Evans
Duke basketball forward Isaiah Evans / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
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McDonald's All-American wing Isaiah Evans, who arrived in Durham this summer at No. 15 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, exhibited his off-the-charts competitive flair and scoring prowess in leading his North Meck High School (N.C.) to a few upset wins en route a state title back in the spring. The Duke basketball rookie, similar in build and abilities to former Blue Devil one-and-done sensation Brandon Ingram, has looked sharp in scrimmage highlights this summer.

ALSO READ: Latest Duke Practice Clips Show Deep Arsenal in Durham

And Evans recently impressed some NBA scouts as one of 14 college players at the Jayson Tatum Elite Forward Camp in Las Vegas.

"[Isaiah Evans] was an absolute killer during constraint-based isolation drills at the Tatum Elite Camp," DraftExpress director of scouting Jon Chepkevich noted this week about the 6-foot-6, 175-pound five-star from Huntersville, N.C. "Knocked down contested shots as you might expect, but more notably brought a ton of fire, fight, and pride defensively."

Every piece to the projected 2024-25 Duke basketball rotation, which could include double-digit weapons in what will be the third season of the Jon Scheyer era, stands 6-foot-5 or taller. Plus, many of those Blue Devils are long-limbed athletes with the potential to routinely give opponents headaches as aggressive defenders.

It appears that Isaiah Evans, part of the nation's top-ranked, six-deep freshman class, is no exception.

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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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