College basketball insider Jon Rothstein recently provided a full breakdown of the Atlantic Coast Conference heading into the 2025-26 season, offering insights on what to expect from the Duke Blue Devils. Rothstein emphasized how important it was for head coach Jon Scheyer to retain several key players, but he singled out rising sophomore Isaiah Evans as one of the premier breakout candidates in the country.
“If you’re looking for a returning player in the ACC poised to make a significant leap this season, Isaiah Evans is the name to watch at Duke,” Rothstein said. “He delivered impressive performances late last season when Duke was dealing with injuries and roster health issues. In my opinion, Evans belongs on every national breakout list.”
Isaiah Evans will undoubtedly be a popular name on breakout lists across college basketball this upcoming season, after showing flashes of his immense potential during his freshman year at Duke.
A five-star recruit entering the program, Evans’ early playing time was limited, much to the surprise of many fans. His breakout moment came in late November when he delivered a standout performance against then-No. 2 Auburn at Cameron Indoor Stadium. In just 16 minutes of action, Evans poured in 18 points on an impressive 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, helping lift the Blue Devils to an 84-78 victory. From that point forward, he became a staple in Jon Scheyer’s rotation.
The 6’7″ wing quickly emerged as one of the premier shooters in the ACC, finishing his freshman campaign averaging 6.8 points per game while connecting on 41.6% of his three-point attempts on 4.1 shots per contest.
Now entering his sophomore year, Evans is set to take on a much larger role, with expectations extending well beyond his sharpshooting abilities. As a freshman, Evans was primarily utilized as a 3-and-D specialist—81% of his shot attempts and 78% of his makes came from three-point range. While Duke’s offense will still look to free him for catch-and-shoot opportunities, he’ll be expected to broaden his offensive repertoire as a starter, attacking off the dribble and creating more for himself and his teammates.
Defensively, Evans was a reliable perimeter defender, but his length and agility will need to be utilized in a more versatile manner within Scheyer’s switch-heavy defensive schemes. Listed at just 175 pounds during his rookie season, adding strength over the offseason will be critical for Evans to hold his own against more physical matchups.
Another key area of growth will be his passing. Evans averaged less than an assist per game as a freshman, though his role didn’t require much playmaking. However, with Duke assisting on 58.5% of its field goals last season and four starters averaging over two assists per game, Evans will need to develop into a more willing and capable passer when defenses close out on him.
With his elite shooting as the foundation, Evans is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Duke will be counting on him to elevate his all-around game as the Blue Devils aim to contend for the national championship in 2026.
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