Movie Room: Fiery forward Isaiah Evans will bring energy, elite shooting to Blue Devils

As the Duke basketball team continues to prepare for the upcoming season, Blue-Zone is here to break down footage of the new additions to both the men’s and women’s teams. On the men’s side, we’ve already taken a look Kon Knueppel And Patrick Ngongba IINext up is Isaiah Evans:

Freshman forward Isaiah Evans, who stands 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, is expected to be a high-level scorer and an energetic presence for Duke this season. Evans’ profile and skill set mirrors that of former Blue Devils player Brandon Ingram: a light wing who shoots efficiently and can score on any defender.

During his senior year at North Mecklenburg, Evans averaged 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on an impressive 53% shooting percentage, leading the Vikings to the North Carolina 4A state championship. As a result, numerous honors poured in for Evans, including a selection to the McDonald’s All-American Game and the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year Award.

Given that Evans is shooting 43 percent from distance, his ability to create three-point shots is a great place to start looking at his game. While Evans can shoot off a stationary catch, the most impressive aspect of his game is his ability to create his own shot. Here’s a look at how Evans uses the stepback and a high release point to nail the triple.

Much like Ingram, Evans is capable of making impressive shots. As seen below, Evans is comfortable setting up smaller guards, circling around them, and elevating to hit mid-range shots.

On defense, Evans is adept at using his length to get deflections or contested shots. Throughout his senior year, the forward averaged 2.4 steals per game, proving his impact on both ends of the floor. Below, watch Evans help a teammate in defensive coverage, block a floater, and then show off a smooth euro-step finish for a basket.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Evans hates North Carolina. Facing opposing students wearing North Carolina merchandise, Evans wasn’t shy about letting his true feelings about the rival school show. Plus, he also added 22 points and a playoff win.

It’s no surprise that Duke fans are excited about the arrival of Isaiah Evans. Not only is he an exceptional talent, but he has a fiery style of play that is sure to set Cameron Indoor Stadium ablaze. Plus, he’s a Blue Devil at heart, committing to the program early in April of his freshman year. As Evans joins a tight end group, expect him to earn significant minutes and contribute in Duke’s first games in November.