On The Brotherhood Podcast, Caleb Foster Gets Maliq Brown’s Insight on Which Freshman Blue Devil Has Stolen the Spotlight Early
The summer grind has already begun in Durham, and with it comes the buzz, anticipation, and intrigue that surrounds every new Duke basketball season. The program, as always, is overflowing with talent. But even amid the five-star arrivals and returning playmakers, one thing always stands out this time of year — how the players begin to gel. That chemistry, that first impression, and those quiet leaders often set the tone long before tipoff. And it’s in those moments that we get glimpses into which names might take the reins when the lights are brightest.
On a recent episode of The Brotherhood Podcast, sophomore guard Caleb Foster hosted a laid-back but revealing conversation with teammate Maliq Brown. It was a deep dive into offseason workouts, team bonding, expectations, and, most intriguingly, which of the incoming players has turned heads the most so far. Foster, always eager to get insight, tossed the question casually but with intent: “Alright Maliq, gotta ask you — of all the new guys, who’s impressed you the most so far?”
Brown didn’t hesitate. “Man, Isaiah Evans,” he said, nodding. “That dude’s different.”
It was a simple answer, but in the tone and detail that followed, it was clear Brown meant every word. And when it comes from someone like Brown — a high-effort, team-first player who’s already developing into a voice in the locker room — that endorsement means something.
Brown, the transfer forward from Syracuse, isn’t known for exaggeration. His game is built on grit, responsibility, and a deep understanding of how to make others around him better. So when he praises a freshman, people listen. And when he singles one out with such confidence, you can be sure it’s not just hype — it’s something he’s seen up close, repeatedly, in practice.
“He just brings it every day,” Brown continued on the podcast. “He’s locked in. You can tell he came here with a chip on his shoulder.”
That “he” is Isaiah Evans, the 6-foot-6 wing from Charlotte, North Carolina, and a former McDonald’s All-American. A consensus five-star recruit, Evans arrived on campus with high expectations but without the same level of national media fanfare that followed fellow newcomer Cooper Flagg. Yet inside the program, his reputation has grown fast. Very fast.
“He’s got that killer mentality,” Brown explained. “Whether we’re doing drills, scrimmaging, or just getting extra shots up, Isaiah goes hard. Every time.”
Foster, clearly impressed by Brown’s answer, chimed in with a story of his own — how Evans had challenged him in a one-on-one shooting drill the week before and nearly outshot him. “He don’t care who he’s going against,” Foster laughed. “That confidence? You gotta love it.”
Confidence. That’s the word that keeps resurfacing when Evans’ name comes up. Not arrogance. Not entitlement. Just pure belief — in his game, his preparation, and the work he’s putting in. And it’s rubbing off on his teammates.
Brown told a story during the podcast about a recent closed scrimmage at the practice facility. The team had been divided into two units — veterans versus newcomers — with Evans leading the freshmen group. “We figured we’d handle them, right?” Brown said. “But Isaiah hit back-to-back threes, drove in for a tough and-one, and then started talking to us. And not in a disrespectful way — more like, ‘We’re here too. We’re not backing down.’ That lit a fire under everybody.”
Moments like that, Foster said, are what set the tone for a season. And Brown agreed. For a program like Duke, where elite talent is the norm, what separates players is rarely raw ability — it’s mindset, work ethic, and how quickly they adapt to the college game. According to Brown, Evans checks every box.
“He’s coachable, he listens, but he’s also not afraid to play his game,” Brown added. “He knows who he is. That’s rare in a freshman.”
Throughout the episode, the two teammates went back and forth, laughing and reminiscing about early-morning lift sessions, impromptu shooting contests, and the quiet moments in the locker room where bonds are built. Brown spoke about how Evans has already earned the respect of the older players — not just with buckets, but with his presence.
“He shows up early. Gets in his lifts. Watches film. You can’t ask for more,” Brown said.
There was also a deeper level to Brown’s appreciation of Evans’ approach. Having transferred from Syracuse, Brown knows what it means to have to prove yourself in a new environment. That transition isn’t always smooth, and fitting into a team like Duke — with its storied history and endless scrutiny — can be daunting. But Evans, Brown said, has handled it with the maturity of a seasoned veteran.
“I’ve seen a lot of freshmen come in thinking it’s gonna be easy,” Brown said. “But Isaiah? He came in with respect for the game and for the process. That’s why he’s standing out.”
Foster, who knows what it’s like to be a young player navigating the Blue Devil machine, echoed that sentiment. “I was in that spot last year. And when you have a guy like you, Maliq, showing love and holding it down, it helps,” he said. “You’ve been there, you get it. That’s why it means something when you say a freshman’s making noise.”
Beyond the praise, what made the podcast episode so compelling was the realness. It wasn’t a PR piece or a media-trained soundbite — it was just two teammates talking ball, telling truths, and giving fans a glimpse of what’s really happening behind the scenes. In a world filled with preseason rankings and draft projections, this was about the work. The sweat. The grind. And one young man who’s already becoming a part of Duke’s new foundation.
As the conversation wound down, Foster circled back to the original question and gave his own two cents. “You know, I was gonna say Isaiah too,” he smiled. “He’s got that edge. And if he keeps doing what he’s doing? He’s gonna be a problem for the rest of the ACC.”
The two laughed, but it was clear — this wasn’t just summer hype. This was a signal. A subtle, early-season warning that Isaiah Evans may not just be another five-star name in a long list of Duke prospects. He may be the next breakout star. The next fan favorite. The next name etched into Cameron Indoor chants and ACC highlight reels.
For now, he’s just putting in the work, earning the trust of guys like Maliq Brown and Caleb Foster. But if the Brotherhood Podcast gave us any hint, it’s that Evans is already ahead of schedule. And his teammates? They’re all in.
“You can see it,” Brown said as the mics wound down. “He’s gonna do something special here.”
