Timberwolves GM Gets Honest on Duke Star Isaiah Evans

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Duke Blue Devils star Isaiah Evans with the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Following the selection of Evans near the top of the second round, Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd commented on what he will bring to the roster.

"We've seen him shoot a lot of 3-point shots," Lloyd said. "We've probably watched every single one of them from this season at Duke. We think it's going to translate positively. We have an analytics model that projects shooting, and that was very positive."

Evans played two seasons for the Blue Devils and showed a significant step in development. In his freshman season, he averaged 6.8 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three.

Evans played a bigger role in his sophomore season, averaging 15 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. The 20-year-old shot 43.3 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from behind the arc.

He made it on the NCAA All-Region Team as well as the All-ACC Team and the All-ACC Tournament Team.

Evans could play a pivotal role for Minnesota as they are making major roster moves, including the acquisition of LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets. They have also moved Julius Randle and Naz Reid, creating a new-look Timberwolves roster.

Evans should be a rotational piece for Minnesota in his first season as a 3&D wing, playing alongside star guard Anthony Edwards.

The Blue Devils will miss having Evans on the roster, as he was a key piece in their 35-3 record in the 2025-26 season. While Duke didn't have a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, it was still a solid season.

Head coach Jon Scheyer will look to have another strong season for the Blue Devils and have new players step up in his system with Evans and others off to the NBA.

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