Duke’s basketball roster remains in flux following its Final Four exit, with no official updates despite Darren Harris previously stating his intention to return next season.
Retaining Harris would be a boost, but the Blue Devils are unlikely to bring back top freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach. The spotlight now shifts to the decisions of Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II, who could significantly shape the 2025-26 squad.
Ngongba, who dealt with a lingering foot injury from high school that limited his early-season minutes, showed considerable promise down the stretch—especially after Maliq Brown’s injury opened up more playing time. The former four-star recruit appears on track to start at center next year and potentially form one of the most dominant frontcourts in college basketball alongside incoming five-star Cameron Boozer.
Evans presents a more complex case. Though his playing time was limited—averaging just 13.7 minutes per game—he was a spark plug offensively, averaging 6.8 points while shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc. His play was inconsistent, often swinging between red-hot shooting nights and cold spells.
Still, Evans’ upside has caught the attention of NBA scouts. Several mock drafts released after the national championship game had the freshman wing pegged as a potential first-rounder. Sports Illustrated ranked him highest at No. 26, while Bleacher Report placed him just outside the first round at No. 37. ESPN was more skeptical, slotting him at No. 44.
There are concerns, though. Evans has a slight frame and struggled defensively. He also didn’t demonstrate much off-the-dribble playmaking or the ability to drive to the rim—traits crucial for NBA wings. Of his 183 total shot attempts, 149 came from three-point range (81.4%), highlighting his heavy reliance on perimeter shooting.
Nonetheless, a team in need of shooting and floor spacing could still take a chance on him. The decision now rests on whether that interest—and the salary of a rookie contract—outweighs a potentially lucrative NIL deal at Duke.
For now, it remains one of the biggest unresolved storylines of Duke’s offseason.