Jon Scheyer Strikes Again: Duke Basketball Lands Potent Scorer

The Duke basketball recruiting department is as powerful as ever.

There was never any concern. Still, Duke basketball hadn't reeled in a commitment in over six months. And that marked the program's longest stretch without a recruiting prize since five-star magnet Jon Scheyer assumed control of all roster-building activities when Mike Krzyzewski pre-announced his retirement in June 2021.

The wait is over. On Thursday night, only a few weeks since his official visit to Duke, North Meck (N.C.) wing Isaiah Evans joined the future 2024 recruiting class in Durham by announcing his commitment to Scheyer and the Blue Devils.

He did so somewhat out of the blue; after all, he didn't advertise the announcement in advance and hadn't named finalists. It sounds like the choice was simple.

"I like Coach Scheyer," the 6-foot-7, 170-pound five-star recently told On3. "He lets his players play, gives them freedom, and he has been around Duke basketball for a long time. I think he is a good coach, and I have a high opinion of him."

No doubt the feeling is mutual.

Evans scored 62 points in a state playoff game in early March, perhaps sealing the offer from Scheyer a few days later. With a playing style that brings to mind former Duke one-and-done Brandon Ingram, he has skyrocketed 51 spots since December to No. 20 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

Isaiah Evans, no. 8 overall prospect in 2024, has committed to Duke.

Fast-twitch 6-7 wing with defensive playmaking instincts and an evolving scoring skillset. NC native has been steadily on the rise over the last year. pic.twitter.com/GcU3y8xpFY

— Max Feldman (@MaxFeldman6) April 28, 2023

"After the visit, I was playing through in my mind who they compared me to, like Brandon Ingram and Mark Mitchell," Evans recounted to On3, "the long guards and wings they have had that can put it on the floor and shoot it."

Following his commitment, Evans summarized to 247Sports' Travis Branham what he plans to gift the Blue Devils.

"I am bringing a dog, a hard worker, a scoring machine," he said, "but most importantly, a winning mentality."

Duke basketball recruiting magic remaining intact

Jon Scheyer and his crew finished the 2022 recruiting cycle with the nation's top-ranked collection. And their incoming 2023 haul will likely remain at No. 2 in the rankings, despite the recent decommitment from their highest-ranked signee, Mackenzie Mgbako.

RELATED: Ex-Duke Signee Mackenzie Mgbako Schedules Visits

As for the 2024 arena, the Blue Devils now sit at No. 6 in the eyes of 247Sports. Duke enjoys early commitments from Isaiah Evans and Paul VI Catholic (Va.) four-star small forward Darren Harris, a heralded sharpshooter boasting a No. 54 composite ranking.

Due to the projected return of several members of the 2023-24 roster, the staff may need only one or two more 2024 recruits. However, considering Scheyer's prowess paired with the fact all of the staff's remaining 2024 targets are top 25 talents, don't count out the Blue Devils rising to or near the top of the recruiting rankings again.

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for more Duke basketball recruiting updates.