Duke Freshman Makes Massive Decision Before 2025 NBA Draft
It's been yet another interesting NCAA basketball offseason with the transfer portal being used to its highest potential.
Players are moving from team to team and there has been some exciting news that has struck all throughout the short-lived offseason so far.
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After a disappointing end to the Duke Blue Devils season, losing in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament to Houston as the heavy favorite to win it all.
Houston celebrates after its Final Four win against Duke. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
One of Duke's five-star recruits from last season has been testing the 2025 NBA Draft's waters and was, at first, ready to see if the NBA was going to be his next chapter for next season.
At first, Isaiah Evans was ready to go through the NBA Draft process, entering his name into the draft to see how it would go.
He was anticipated to be a second round pick this year and would have the chance to land on an NBA roster for the 2025-26 season.
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Things have changed since then. After weeks of speculation, the 6-foot-6, 19-year-old guard withdrew his name from the draft and decided to return to Duke for his sophomore campaign, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel.
Although Duke has several prospects that are anticipated to be selected in the upcoming draft – players like Cooper Flagg, Kon Kneuppel and Khaman Maluach, Evans will be one that fans won't be hearing his named called in June.
After a freshman season in which he saw limited playing time – averaging 6.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and shooting 41.6% from three in just 13.7 minutes per game – he'll look to take on a bigger role with the Blue Devils next season and boost his draft stock.
Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) dunks the ball in front of Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon (0) during the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
As a result, Evans won't participate in this week's NBA Draft Combine and will return to Durham, giving Head Coach Jon Scheyer another weapon for next season.
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