Isaiah Evans, a freshman at Duke, declines to participate in the 2025 NBA Draft and Combine

In a college basketball landscape increasingly shaped by early departures and the allure of the NBA, Duke freshman Isaiah Evans has decided to take a different path. The 6-foot-6 forward, widely regarded as a future first-round pick, announced on Monday that he will not declare for the 2025 NBA Draft and has also declined an invitation to participate in the NBA Draft Combine. Instead, Evans plans to return to Durham for his sophomore season, betting on himself and his development under head coach Jon Scheyer.

The decision bucks a trend that has swept across college basketball, where talented freshmen often jump at the first opportunity to test the professional waters. But for Evans, the call to return to Duke is about more than draft positioning. It’s about growth—on the court, in the film room, and as a leader in one of college basketball’s most intense environments.

“After careful thought and conversations with my family and coaches, I’ve decided not to enter the 2025 NBA Draft or attend the Combine. I love Duke, I love my teammates, and I know I have more to accomplish here—both personally and with this team. I’m excited to come back stronger, more prepared, and even hungrier. Let’s run it back. Go Duke!”

The message was met with immediate praise from Blue Devils fans and members of the college basketball community. Evans, a consensus top-15 recruit out of North Carolina’s North Mecklenburg High School, showed flashes of brilliance during his freshman campaign and was expected by many draft analysts to be a late first-round or early second-round selection in 2025.

But for Evans, the lure of another year at Duke—sharpening his game and stepping into a starring role—outweighed the uncertainty of navigating the pre-draft process with limited experience.

Isaiah Evans arrived at Duke with considerable hype. Ranked as the No. 13 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class by 247Sports, Evans brought with him a lethal combination of length, perimeter scoring, and defensive potential. Playing behind veterans and sharing the court with other five-star freshmen, Evans carved out a niche as an energy wing who could guard multiple positions and knock down open looks.

He averaged 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in just under 20 minutes per game. While those numbers don’t leap off the stat sheet, his impact often went beyond the box score. His perimeter defense was advanced for a first-year player, and his length disrupted passing lanes and opposing wings. As the season progressed, he became a more confident scorer, including a 17-point breakout performance against Virginia in February that hinted at his potential as a go-to option.

Evans’s shooting splits—45% from the field and 37% from three—offered further reason for optimism. But scouts and coaches alike acknowledged that he wasn’t yet a finished product.

While his freshman year showed promise, there were parts of Evans’s game that clearly need refinement. Most notably, his shot creation off the dribble and his ability to finish through contact in the paint were inconsistent. Against top-tier defenses, Evans occasionally disappeared for long stretches, struggling to assert himself when the pace slowed and possessions became more physical.

His handle remains a work in progress, especially when pressured by quicker defenders. And while his defense was often praised, there were lapses in help coverage and closeouts that signaled his need for more seasoning.

These realities didn’t necessarily diminish his NBA upside—if anything, they painted the picture of a player who could vault into lottery consideration with another year of polish. And that seems to be Evans’s bet.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer voiced strong support for Evans’s decision and emphasized the maturity behind it.

“Isaiah is wise beyond his years,” Scheyer said in a statement. “He came into Duke with a willingness to learn, to compete, and to do whatever the team needed. That mindset will serve him well as he returns for his sophomore year. We believe in his talent and in his character, and I can’t wait to coach him as he takes the next step.”

Several of Evans’s teammates, both current and incoming, echoed that sentiment. Sophomore forward Mark Mitchell, who also returned for his second season in 2024, said that Evans’s decision could help set a tone of accountability and long-term thinking for a team with national championship aspirations.

“We all know Zay could’ve gone pro if he wanted to,” Mitchell said. “But he’s not satisfied. That says a lot.”

If the past is any indication, Duke sophomores often thrive when given the reins. Just look at the development of players like Jayson Tatum (who came close to returning for a second year), Luke Kennard, and RJ Barrett. Even in the modern one-and-done era, several Blue Devils have benefited from an extra year on campus—particularly wings with Evans’s build and playing style.

A key component of his sophomore success will be taking on a larger offensive role. With several upperclassmen expected to depart, and a less star-studded freshman class arriving in 2025, Evans will likely be thrust into a primary scoring role. That responsibility comes with increased usage, shot attempts, and scrutiny—but also with the chance to significantly boost his draft stock.

NBA scouts will be watching closely to see if Evans can add more fluidity to his offensive arsenal. If he can consistently create his own shot, improve his mid-range pull-up, and increase his trips to the free-throw line, he could ascend into the lottery tier by 2026.

Evans’s decision may also reflect a shifting tide in college basketball. While the NBA remains the ultimate goal for many top prospects, the dynamics of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings, paired with the pressure to succeed in the league once drafted, have made college basketball a more viable long-term option than it was just a few years ago.

Evans is believed to have secured multiple NIL deals during his freshman season, and returning to Duke provides both financial stability and a national platform. He’ll remain a high-profile figure on ESPN broadcasts, in March Madness promos, and on social media. That level of visibility and branding is something many second-round picks in the NBA never achieve.

“College players, especially at places like Duke, have opportunities now that rival what rookies get in the NBA,” said one anonymous agent. “If a guy knows he can dominate next year and come out with a higher draft stock, why not?”

Evans’s return is a major boost for a Duke team that will likely be among the ACC favorites in 2025-26. With veteran pieces, promising sophomores, and another talented recruiting class on the way, the Blue Devils are in position to make a deep tournament run.

Evans said as much in his statement, subtly hinting that unfinished business also played into his decision. Duke’s 2025 NCAA Tournament exit in the Sweet 16 at the hands of Baylor left a sour taste, particularly for a group that believed it had Final Four talent.

“I came here to win titles,” Evans wrote. “That hasn’t changed.”

With more time to mature physically and mentally, Evans will enter his second year with added confidence and a leadership role. That progression could ultimately make him not only a better draft prospect—but a more complete basketball player.

In bypassing the 2025 NBA Draft and Combine, Isaiah Evans didn’t make the easiest choice. He made the smartest one—for him.

It’s a choice rooted in self-awareness and long-term vision, the kind that can elevate a good player into a great one. For Duke, it’s a win on and off the court. For Evans, it’s an opportunity to become the player he knows he can be.

As the spotlight returns to Cameron Indoor next season, it won’t just be about what Isaiah Evans can do for Duke—it’ll be about what Duke can do to help him rise even higher.