Duke guard Isaiah Evans goes undrafted in first round

The first round of the 2026 NBA draft concluded Tuesday night in Brooklyn with a surprising omission, as Duke guard Isaiah Evans, the only one of 24 green room invitees not selected, headlines a list of top prospects awaiting their fate in Wednesday's second round. Evans, who wore a custom suit accessorized with millions of dollars in diamonds, will be joined by Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas and North Carolina forward Henri Veesaar as the draft resumes with the champion New York Knicks holding the 31st overall pick.

Evans, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter, averaged 15 points per game over two seasons at Duke and was widely projected as a first-round selection. His draft night, however, was defined by a prolonged wait in the green room at the Barclays Center. His outfit, created with celebrity jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills, featured a brooch centered with a 45-carat ruby and a diamond wallet chain, which the jeweler described as the most expensive ensemble in NBA draft history. Evans said the accessories were meant to represent him and bring a unique, royal energy to the event.

The shift to a two-day draft format in 2024 has increased the strategic importance of the early second round,...