No one saw it coming. Not the fans, not the media, and probably not even Jon Scheyer. But after one electrifying scrimmage at Duke’s summer practice, the Blue Devils may have a lineup shake-up on their hands — because one unexpected name just made an undeniable case to be in the starting five.
The Scrimmage That Changed Everything
Sources close to the program say it started off like any other summer session — drills, development, team bonding. But once the full-court scrimmage tipped off, everything changed.
That’s when sophomore guard Isaiah Evans exploded. He wasn’t just scoring — he was leading, defending, facilitating, and most importantly, dominating. Teammates were visibly feeding off his energy. Coaches were locked in. NBA scouts, reportedly in attendance for other players, suddenly shifted their attention.
“He Looked Like the Best Player on the Floor”
A member of Duke’s support staff (who asked to remain anonymous) said it plainly:
> “He looked like the best player on the floor. He was barking out switches, hitting shots from deep, locking down ball handlers. You’d think he was a senior trying to earn a contract.”
With every possession, Evans seemed to rise. He had back-to-back threes, a slick transition dime to Darren Harris, and a chasedown block that had the entire bench on its feet.
By the end of the scrimmage, it wasn’t a question of “could he contribute” — it was “can you even keep him on the bench?”
The Rotation Ripple Effect
And that’s where Jon Scheyer’s dilemma begins. With Cameron Boozer, Dame Sarr, and Khamenia all expected to play major minutes, Duke’s rotation is already loaded. But Evans is forcing the issue.
Do you start him and go small? Do you bring a five-star freshman off the bench instead? No matter what, someone is getting bumped — and Evans isn’t making it easy.
Scheyer has been vocal all summer about “earning your minutes,” and if that principle holds, Evans might have just earned more than anyone expected.
What This Means for Duke’s Season
Duke has national title expectations again. But championship teams don’t just need talent — they need fire, leadership, and surprises from within. If Isaiah Evans can carry this momentum into the fall, he may be the unexpected x-factor that separates this Duke team from the rest of the country.
One summer scrimmage.
One breakout performance.
And now? One huge decision for Jon Scheyer.
