It’s supposed to be football season… but in Durham, North Carolina? Basketball never takes a backseat.
And on August 5, inside the legendary Cameron Indoor Stadium, a supposedly routine open practice became something much more — an electric sneak preview of the next era of Duke dominance.
In front of hundreds of diehard Blue Devil fans — many of whom waited in the rain for hours, including some who traveled all the way from California, Idaho, Illinois, and Tennessee — the 2025-26 Duke squad put on a show that fans won’t stop talking about anytime soon.
One moment in particular? It sent shockwaves through the stands.
Freshman phenom Isaiah Evans — yes, that Isaiah Evans — drilled a jaw-dropping buzzer-beater that had the whole gym roaring as if it were March Madness in midwinter. It was a heart-pounding, high-stakes moment in the middle of August. And if you needed any reminder of why Duke basketball is always relevant, Evans just gave you one.
“It’s only August 5, so we’ve got a lot to work on,” head coach Jon Scheyer told reporters following the 90-minute session. But fans weren’t buying it — not after seeing the chemistry, the hustle, the talent oozing from the floor. Scheyer’s fourth season at the helm is shaping up to be something special, and the energy is already boiling.
From the first whistle, it was clear this team is hungry. Veterans led by example. Newcomers looked poised beyond their years. But it was Evans who stole the headlines with that last-second dagger — a moment that felt more like March than midsummer.
Scheyer, ever focused on growth and detail, praised his reloaded roster, highlighting the commitment they’ve shown throughout the offseason. And let’s be clear — this isn’t just another group of talented kids. This team is on a mission, and the crowd inside Coach K Court could feel it.
The speed. The confidence. The potential. You could sense the next great Duke chapter starting to write itself in real-time.
This was more than a practice. It was a statement.
If August looks like this… just imagine what January, February, and March are going to bring.
Duke fans — get ready. The Blue Devils aren’t rebuilding. They’re reloading. And with rising stars like Isaiah Evans already delivering buzzer-beating magic, one thing is certain:
Basketball season never truly ends in Durham. And 2025-26? It’s coming in hot.
