Every summer has a turning point. For Duke, it came in the form of one play — a moment so raw, so electric, that the entire practice gym froze. Then erupted.
It happened during a competitive drill that was supposed to test spacing and defensive rotations. But Isaiah Evans wasn’t in the mood for walkthrough energy. The sophomore wing — longer, stronger, and clearly more confident — caught a swing pass on the wing, hit a filthy jab-step, and exploded past his man. What came next? A one-handed dunk over two help defenders. The rim shook. So did the mood in the building.
Coaches didn’t even need to blow the whistle. The gym stopped itself.
Caleb Foster’s reaction said it all — hands on his head, eyes wide. He’s seen a lot in his two years at Duke, but that one? “That’s the clip,” he muttered. Phones came out. Players watched it mid-practice. And within hours, it was in every team group chat, then across social media, and finally, the staff room. It wasn’t just what happened — it was who did it, and what it meant.
By the next day, the tone of practice had shifted. Maliq Brown, the veteran forward known for his effort, cranked the intensity up on both ends. There was more talking. More bumping. Less jogging, more purpose. Players who’d been coasting couldn’t afford to anymore. Reps felt heavier. Rotations weren’t assumed — they were earned.
That dunk didn’t just fire up the team — it exposed something.
Evans had made a sophomore leap, and everyone else had to catch up. Foster started taking more vocal command of the offense. Brown became the unofficial enforcer, refusing to let standards slip. And suddenly, the locker room felt more like a team trying to win, not just develop.
Sometimes, it takes a highlight to set the tone.
Duke found theirs — and now the fire’s lit.
