Duke Coach Jon Scheyer Reveals Deep Conversations With Isaiah Evans on NBA Draft Decision and Loyalty to Blue Devils Return

Jon Scheyer isn’t new to high-stakes conversations. But the ones he’s been having lately with sophomore guard Isaiah Evans might be the most crucial yet in shaping the immediate future of Duke basketball. Coming off a roller-coaster freshman campaign filled with flashes of brilliance, high expectations, and moments of adjustment, Evans found himself at a crossroads few 19-year-olds can relate to: the NBA Draft was calling, but so was a second year in Durham.

When Evans declared for the draft while maintaining his eligibility, it wasn’t a surprise. The 6-foot-6 guard with a smooth jumper, explosive athleticism, and a rapidly evolving handle had long been viewed as a high-upside NBA prospect. But for Scheyer, Evans was more than just a potential early departure—he represented the bridge between a dominant Duke past and an even brighter future.

Scheyer, still building his coaching identity after taking the reins from the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, approached the conversations with Evans not as a recruiter trying to hold on to talent but as a mentor laying out paths—both paved and uncertain.

“I told Isaiah this wasn’t about what I wanted,” Scheyer said in an exclusive conversation with Duke insiders. “This was about where he truly saw himself growing the most—in a gym surrounded by teammates fighting for something bigger than themselves or in the process of carving a solo path through a business that demands readiness.”

The honesty went both ways.

Evans had his concerns. There were questions about his projected draft position—some scouts pegged him in the late first round, others questioned his consistency and slotted him as a second-round gamble. He also wrestled with whether returning to college would actually boost his stock or simply expose him to more scrutiny.

But what ultimately moved the needle wasn’t just Scheyer’s advice—it was his ability to listen.

“He let me speak,” Evans said in a recent interview. “It wasn’t just him trying to talk me into coming back. It was about figuring out what I wanted, and then he helped me see what that could look like if I stayed.”

That vision involved more than just a leading role on a retooled Duke squad. Scheyer offered Evans a blueprint for development: full command of the offense, opportunities to showcase leadership, and the green light to take over games when needed. There would also be expectations—on both ends of the floor.

“He’s got All-American potential,” Scheyer said. “But the next step for him isn’t about points. It’s about impact. Can he be the reason we win tough games on the road? Can he be the voice in the huddle when the moment is too big for others?”

Evans, who averaged 9.8 points per game last season in just over 20 minutes per contest, showed flashes of brilliance in March. His 22-point outburst against Florida State in the ACC Tournament reminded scouts why he was a five-star recruit and one of the most electric players in the country coming out of high school.

But flashes weren’t enough.

What Scheyer made clear in their talks was that Evans’ draft dreams wouldn’t die if he returned. In fact, they could grow sharper.

“You can declare again next year and walk in with a résumé no one can ignore,” Scheyer told him. “Be that guy.”

It’s a pitch that might sound like recruiting fluff from other coaches, but Scheyer’s track record gives it weight. Look no further than Jeremy Roach, who stayed an extra season and ended up on a two-way NBA contract with a guaranteed path forward. Or Kyle Filipowski, who returned for his sophomore year, turned heads, and became a top-15 pick.

Still, Scheyer emphasized there were no guarantees.

“This isn’t a storybook where everything goes according to plan,” he told Evans. “It’s about how you handle the pressure, the criticism, and the responsibility that comes with staying. And I believe you’re ready for that.”

Evans ultimately agreed.

The decision came after weeks of back-and-forth conversations, calls with family, feedback from NBA circles, and quiet time alone. But the defining factor, according to Evans, was trust. Trust in his coach. Trust in Duke. Trust in himself.

When he announced his return, the Blue Devils community erupted—not just because a talented scorer was back, but because a potential leader had chosen to build, not bounce.

“I want to win,” Evans said. “I want to win a national championship. I want to be part of something that leaves a mark. And I think we’re building that here.”

Indeed, Duke’s roster for the 2025–26 season looks formidable. With veteran pieces returning and a loaded freshman class on the way, Evans’ decision to stay gives the Blue Devils both stability and star power.

Scheyer sees it as more than just a basketball win.

“Isaiah staying says something about where our program is,” Scheyer said. “We’re not just a launchpad. We’re a place where guys develop, grow, and lead. And Isaiah is ready to lead.”

Behind the scenes, Evans has already begun taking steps toward that leadership role. He’s one of the most vocal in team workouts. He’s organizing off-the-court bonding events. He’s mentoring incoming freshmen who see in him the very path they hope to walk.

NBA executives have taken notice too.

One Western Conference scout, who asked not to be named, noted, “Evans coming back shows maturity. That decision, in itself, says a lot. Add another year of growth to his skill set, and you’re probably looking at a lottery pick.”

Scheyer wouldn’t go that far. He’s cautious with comparisons and wary of piling expectations on young players. But he’s confident that the Evans coming back isn’t the same one who left high school a year ago.

“He’s grown. He sees the game differently now. He approaches the work with a different level of intent,” Scheyer said. “That’s what excites me most.”

There’s a bond forming now between coach and player that goes beyond Xs and Os. It’s the kind of relationship Duke has built its identity on for decades. And it’s the kind of dynamic that could define this upcoming season.

Because for all the talent Duke brings in annually, it’s the returners—those who choose the hard path of staying and leading—that often determine how far the team can go.

And Isaiah Evans is choosing that path. One conversation at a time.