Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Future Duke Basketball Forward Flexes in North Carolina Playoff Action
Isaiah Evans, one of two McDonald's All-Americans in the five-deep 2024 Duke basketball class, scored a game-high 35 points while knocking down six 3-pointers on Friday night to propel his North Meck High School (N.C.) to a 79-61 victory over South Meck and into the Sweet 16 of the state's 4A playoffs.
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That's 27 points less than the 62 he dropped in one postseason contest last year. And it's worth pointing out that 30-point outings have become routine for the 6-foot-6, 170-pound five-star bucket-getter this season.
But judging by Evan's visibly hungry demeanor and smooth shooting stroke in the following highlights from Friday night's action, it wouldn't be a surprise if he heats up even more when he and the Vikings (26-3), riding a 13-game winning streak, head to Winston-Salem to battle Mount Tabor High School (24-5) on Tuesday night:
Evans, who ranks No. 13 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite and draws frequent comparisons to former Duke one-and-done and current New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram, will join the cycle's top-ranked prospect and fellow McDonald's All-American in five-star forward Cooper Flagg as a 2024-25 Blue Devil.
They put their Duke basketball commitments in ink during the early signing period in November, along with Wisconsin Lutheran five-star forward Kon Knueppel and two Paul VI Catholic (Va.) talents in four-star forward Darren Harris and five-star center Patrick Ngongba II. Together, they form the nation's No. 1 haul, at least as things stand.
Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.