{"id":122,"date":"2026-05-13T21:06:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=122"},"modified":"2026-05-13T21:06:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:06:46","slug":"why-duke-star-isaiah-evans-is-convinced-its-time-to-make-nba-leap-im-all-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=122","title":{"rendered":"Why Duke star Isaiah Evans is convinced it\u2019s time to make NBA leap: \u2018I\u2019m all in\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Any modicum of wiggle room is gone.<\/p>\n

With the deadline to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft less than two weeks away, Isaiah Evans<\/a> left little doubt about his intentions following his sophomore season at Duke.<\/p>\n

Read more NC lawmakers back ignition locks to keep impaired drivers off the road.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNah, I\u2019m in,\u201d Evans said Wednesday at the NBA Draft Combine before showcasing his talents during a scrimmage at Wintrust Arena. \u201cI\u2019m fully in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unlike this time a year ago, when the North Mecklenberg product elected to return for another season with the Blue Devils in Durham after dipping his toes into the NBA player talent pool, Evans has zero plans to suit up for Duke again. He\u2019s looking to cash in on a solid sophomore campaign.<\/p>\n

Hovering at 6-foot-6, Evans made a notable leap after posting 6.8 points per game in 36 games during Duke\u2019s run to the Final Four in 2024-25. In Year 2, he averaged 15 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game and was the Blue Devils\u2019 second-leading scorer behind Cameron Boozer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just feel like I\u2019m ready,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI\u2019ve been working really hard this year. I\u2019m in the weight room a lot and I\u2019ve been taking my body seriously. And I think I\u2019m ready for the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Projected by draft pundits as a mid-to-late first-round pick in the June draft at Barclays Center in New York, Evans\u2019 strengths center around his ability to stretch the defense with his shot, which also features a quick release.<\/p>\n

Some mocks peg him landing somewhere in the vicinity of No. 21 to the Detroit Pistons or going somewhere in the neighborhood of No. 25 to Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsaiah Evans has two attributes,\u201d one NBA talent evaluator at the combine told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday. \u201cPositional size and shooting. Has to get better at shot selection, decision-making, being a versatile scorer and defending on ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, Evans has heard similar chatter from NBA personnel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just think I\u2019m ready to accept the challenge the NBA has to offer,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI have real offensive talent and I\u2019m ready to accept the challenge defensively. It\u2019s just physical, the way that those guys play (in the NBA). And it\u2019s just all about angles, and understanding your opponent and paying attention to the scouting report.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just reaching this particular point is the latest step in Evans\u2019 rapid ascension.<\/p>\n

Evans initially jumped on the radar of some as a sophomore at North Meck<\/a>, when he made the leap from junior varsity following an impressive freshman campaign. He averaged nearly 20 points per game on a deep team \u2014 a precursor to a breakout junior season.<\/p>\n

Read more West Charlotte fire near school, baseball fields intentionally set, department says<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s when Evans morphed into the top player in North Carolina, netting 26 points along with collecting 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game en route to nabbing Mr. N.C. Basketball after leading his team to the state semifinals.<\/p>\n

Named a McDonald\u2019s All-American in his senior season, Evans became the first to win Mr. N.C. Basketball twice, propelling North Mecklenburg to its third state championship in school history. His high school career included putting up 62 points in a state quarterfinal and a 45-point showing against rival Chambers, assisting in building up a blossoming confidence level.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like there\u2019s not a lot of moments that can shake me,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI\u2019ve been a part of a really good career so far with high school and then being at Duke. So, I just feel like I\u2019m ready for the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

No matter where he ends up.<\/p>\n

Evans said he\u2019s met with the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards and New York Knicks so far. The Charlotte Hornets have a pair of first-round selections \u2014 Nos. 14 and 18 \u2014 and Evans perked up a bit when the possibility of playing for the Hornets was brought up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019d be awesome,\u201d Evans said. \u201cI know the city of Charlotte accepts me well. It\u2019d be nice to put on for the home team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Especially with a pair of players he\u2019s already familiar with.<\/p>\n

Kon Knueppel, who finished second to fellow Duke product Cooper Flagg<\/a> of the Dallas Mavericks in the race for the NBA\u2019s 2025-26 rookie of the year, is already entrenched. As is Sion James.<\/p>\n

Evans has plans to take the knowledge he\u2019s gained watching Knueppel transition into the pro ranks and incorporate it into a way it can benefit him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just think he knows he spots it really well and he\u2019s very mechanical with what he does,\u201d Evans said. \u201cHe does the same thing over and over again. You never see him shoot it differently or when you see him shoot, you never see him shoot it differently twice. So, I think it\u2019s just being consistent in my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

In other words, that means simply following in the footsteps of James as well. James was the only member of the Hornets to log action in all 82-regular season games.<\/p>\n

\u201cSion just works really hard and seeing how he came \u2014 he was a late pick and he still was able to impact the organization,\u201d Evans said. \u201cYeah, it\u2019s definitely showing that no matter what pick you are, you can definitely make an impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Chance the Rapper announces Ballantyne show during pit stop in Charlotte<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Isaiah Evans committed to leaving Duke basketball for NBA Draft. Evans played at North Mecklenburg HS in Charlotte NC. 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