Team’s the scheme for All-Americans Evans and Flagg

MCDONALD'S ALL-AMERICAN GAME

North Mecklenburg High senior Isaiah Evans, one of the nation’s top basketball recruits, praised fellow Duke commit Cooper Flagg, the 2024 class’s top-ranked player as they prepared for the McDonald’s All-American game.

North Mecklenburg High’s Isaiah Evans was ready for the bright lights of the McDonald’s All-American basketball game.

Evans, ranked seventh in the 2024 ESPN 100 rankings said that playing alongside the country’s top player and future Duke teammate Cooper Flagg is great, but practicing against him is better.

“I feel like it’s more fun when we play against each other,” Evans said. “I think when you’re playing on the same team you can get a little nice but when you play against one another you try to get the best out of each other.”

Evans and Flagg, who were on the East team with North Carolina commits Drake Powell and Ian Jackson, were the only Duke commits representing the Blue Devils’ highly touted 2024 recruit class which ranks first in both the ESPN 100 and 247 Sports class rankings. Both admire the other’s skill and feel they complement each other.

“With Cooper, I think you’ve just got to match his energy,” Evans said. “You can’t get lazy because he is going to keep coming at you.”

Said Flagg: “(Evans) is just so hard to guard because he can score so well at all three levels. I don’t think I’ve seen someone play with as much energy as I’ve seen Isaiah play with.”

Both bring unique skill sets to Duke and coach Jon Scheyer. After Duke’s loss to North Carolina State in the NCAA Elite Eight, Evans and Flagg are hungry to create their own legacy at Duke and help win a championship.

“I think we are going to create our own journey when we get to Duke and get acclimated with everyone,” Evans said. “I think we are going to make a lot of fans proud, but there really isn’t any pressure.”

Like Evans, Flagg feels no pressure. He feels like they have dealt with pressure their entire high school careers, so they won’t be affected.

“I think we have a chance to do something really special (at Duke),” Flagg said. “I don’t think we will feel any sort of pressure. Once we get together (with teammates) and get acclimated, it will be good.”

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