Coach Jon Scheyer lauds Isaiah Evans' loyalty, a star player choosing commitment over transfer despite reduced minutes, solidifying Duke's championship aspirations.
Duke was a favorite to win the NCAA Tournament last year with Cooper Flagg.
Flagg was the undisputed best player in college basketball last year. As good as he was, the Blue Devils didn't have a complete roster, which proved to be a problem when they played Houston in the Final Four.
Star freshman Cameron Boozer is arguably the best player in college basketball this year. With the forward, the Blue Devils are expected to earn the No. 1 overall seed and become a favorite to win the national championship.
In addition to Boozer, Duke has a more complete roster this season than the one that made the Final Four last year.
During his news conference on Saturday night after beating No. 10 Virginia in the ACC Tournament, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised Isaiah Evans for staying with the program when he could have transferred or gone pro, knowing his playing time would be less this season.
"Like for Isaiah, it was probably -- that's uncommon at the end of the year," Scheyer said, via USA Today. "You've got a guy, a McDonald's All-American, doesn't play as much.
"We had a really talented team. He could have transferred easily, could have gone pro. But to be able to double down on each other, go through this whole year, to be able to share these moments with Isaiah, we've been through so much together."
Evans led the team with 20 points to go along with two rebounds and one assist in Duke's 74-70 win over the Cavaliers. He's averaging 27.9 minutes per game this season.
Evans has been a special player for Duke and Scheyer. The head coach noted he's learned that building relationships matters during his first three seasons with the Blue Devils.
"Well, I think the first year or two, you're just trying to survive. Just straight up, you're just trying to survive," Scheyer said. "I think I've tried to really explore these last two years just what my purpose is with this.”
"The wins are incredible. To share these moments with our players is the best. But if you can't develop relationships -- I think that's the thing that's most important that I'm proud of."
Duke will need those relationships to count next week. The team played a seven-man rotation with center Patrick Ngongba II (foot) and point guard Caleb Foster (broken foot) battling injury during the ACC Tournament.
Foster won't return until at least the Final Four. Duke isn't sure if Ngongba will return for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. He's day-to-day with the injury.