On Tuesday, freshman player Isaiah Evans revealed on social media that he intends to pause his professional endeavors and rejoin the Blue Devils for his second year, retaining a well-known figure as a building block for its 2025–26 team. According to CBS Sports’ 2025 NBA Draft prospect rankings, he was rated as the 38th best prospect overall and was expected to be selected in the late first or early second rounds.
One of the most effective bench weapons in the sport, Evans averaged 6.8 points and shot 41.6% from 3-point range in 36 games for the 35-win Blue Devils this past season. Evans was a former five-star recruit and was ranked as the 13th overall player in the Class of 2024 out of high school. With Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Sion James, the team’s top four scorers, all departing early for the NBA draft or losing their eligibility, he should see a notable increase in usage the following season.
With Knueppel, Proctor, and James gone, Duke is in dire need of backcourt scoring in especially, which makes Evans’ retention even more crucial. Despite being utilized sparingly on a powerful Duke squad and making just three starts this past season, he demonstrated his explosive offensive game and microwave scoring in 11 games with 10 or more points and six with 16 or more points.
When the lights were shining brightest, Evans had some of his greatest performances. For example, in December, he scored 18 points off the bench against No. 2 Auburn, making a season-high six 3-pointers on eight tries. Additionally, he scored 17 points in a nonconference game against Illinois at Madison Square Garden in February, helping the team thrash the Illini 110-67.
Evans’ return significantly improves Duke’s outlook, even if the team hasn’t acquired a player via the portal in this cycle and has a number of unanswered questions regarding its next roster while multiple players consider their options. Alongside a solid incoming recruiting class that includes Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 player in the Class of 2025, and twin Cayden Boozer, the No. 24 player in the class, he is expected to be challenged to carry a heavy offensive load.
