Duke Basketball Guard Isaiah Evans Embraces 'Contagious' Development

The Duke basketball sophomore has made some massive strides as a facilitator.

Nov 21, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Isaiah Evans (3) throws a pass during the first half against the Niagara Purple Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Across 36 appearances as a Duke basketball rookie, sharpshooting guard Isaiah Evans totaled 18 assists, delivering only 1.5 dimes per 40 minutes on the court. Now, through seven games as a sophomore starter in Durham, the 6-foot-6, 180-pound Fayetteville, N.C., native has already recorded 15 assists at a rate of 3.6 per 40 minutes of action.

Duke guard/forward Isaiah Evans (3) acknowledges the assists after hitting a 3-point basket in a college basketball exhibition game against Tennessee on October 26, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the locker room on Sunday, after the now-No. 4-ranked Blue Devils (7-0, 0-0 ACC) tallied a 93-56 victory over the visiting Howard Bison in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke Blue Devils On SI asked Evans about a specific play early in the second half, in which "Showtime Slim" passed up a 3-point look from the wing to find freshman forward Nikolas Khamenia for a wide-open three from the corner.

Just as the ball was leaving Khamenia's hand, Evans put his hand in the air, effectively predicting the make. And as Duke Blue Devils On SI noticed while sitting on press row just a few feet from where Evans was standing at the time, it appeared as though he felt a deep sense of satisfaction from helping to create Khamenia's splash.

"Showtime Slim" has become an impressive facilitator. He had only 18 assists across 36 appearances as a freshman and now has 15 through only seven outings as a sophomore.

On Sunday, I noticed him take satisfaction from one of his unselfish dimes and asked him about it afterward: pic.twitter.com/1s1PHAAzMN

— Matt Giles (@MattGilesBD) November 26, 2025

"It's extremely fun, especially when he sticks the shot," Evans said about his on-court connection with Khamenia, who is stationed next to him in the team's locker room. "But [Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer] says those plays are contagious. So, those are just the type of plays I like to make."

Not only has Isaiah Evans improved as a passer, but he's done so while almost doubling his scoring average from last season, currently sitting at 13.0 points per contest while shooting 42.4 percent from the field, 35.6 percent beyond the arc, and 90.5 percent at the foul line. Plus, he's averaging 3.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks, all significant jumps from his freshman campaign.

And between the past three games, Evans has dished out eight assists without a single turnover to his name in that stretch.

Fun fact: Isaiah Evans has 8 assists and 0 turnovers in the last 3 games pic.twitter.com/01yZSNMM61

— JMann_ (@JMannsTakes) November 24, 2025

Duke basketball is now gearing up to face the No. 22 Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1, 0-0 ACC) in Chicago's United Center at 8 p.m. ET Thursday (CBS), part of the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. The Blue Devils boarded the plane for their trip to the "Windy City" on Tuesday.

Nov 21, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer directs his team during the first half against the Niagara Purple Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

• "We're extremely excited," Isaiah Evans told Duke Blue Devils On SI about the upcoming slate of three straight battles against ranked opponents. "There's going to be a lot of competition, a lot of tests, and we're going to see who is the tougher team at the end of the day."

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.