Five-Star Duke Basketball Signee 'Baby Ingram' Erupts Against Rival

Evidently, 30-point outings are no longer enough to satisfy the hunger of future Duke basketball wing Isaiah Evans.

Matt Giles | Feb 3, 2024

Photo credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

Duke basketball recruiting prize Isaiah Evans, who famously tallied 62 points in a state playoff game last year, has been compiling 30-burgers this month.

But with his squad's postseason just around the corner, the 6-foot-6, 170-pound flamethrower took it up a notch on Friday night in leading North Meck High School (N.C.), located just north of Charlotte in Huntersville, to a 108-64 home win over nearby rival Mallard Creek.

Evans, No. 14 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, finished with 44 points. And he shot a sizzling 16-for-19 from the field.

The potent scorer, whose smooth-move playing style, slender build, and long arms resemble former Duke basketball one-and-done and current New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram, found his rhythm early and never lost it.

Have a look at his eye-popping performance, courtesy of these highlights from SLAM HS Hoops that refer to Evans as "Baby Ingram":

North Meck improved to 17-3 overall and 10-0 in 3A/4A Queen City conference action.

Isaiah Evans and Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg, the nation's top-ranked high school senior, are the only two future Blue Devils who landed a roster spot for the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, April 2 in Houston.

However, they aren't Duke's only five-star early signees in the cycle. The other two are Wisconsin Lutheran forward Kon Knueppel and Paul VI Catholic (Va.) center Patrick Ngongba II. The program's lowest-rated 2024 piece is one of Ngongba's Paul VI teammates in four-star wing and celebrated 3-point shooter Darren Harris.

For now, the collection stands as Duke head coach Jon Scheyer's second No. 1 haul across his three years calling all the shots for the Blue Devils on the recruiting trail.

Insider Labels Duke Target as Prime Reclass Candidate

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

Published Feb 3, 2024

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.