North Mecklenburg standout Isaiah Evans is NC Mr. Basketball for second straight year

For the second straight year, North Mecklenburg High School senior Isaiah Evans is the best boys’ high school basketball player in North Carolina, earning the title of Mr. Basketball.

Evans, a 6-foot-7, 177-pound McDonald’s All-American signed to Duke, was selected over finalists Paul McNeil of Richmond Senior and Drake Powell of Northwood. McNeil has signed with N.C. State. Powell, a McDonald’s All-American, has signed with UNC.

The Charlotte Observer has handed out the state’s top high school basketball award since the 1984-85 season, and Strong is the first repeat winner, though prior to the 2020-21 season, only seniors were eligible for the honor.

This season, Evans led North Mecklenburg to a 28-3 record, before Thursday’s scheduled N.C. 4A state semifinal against Lake Norman. Before that game, he was averaging 27.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals for the Vikings. Evans is ranked No. 11 nationally in the senior class.

In last week’s state quarterfinal win over Myers Park, Evans had 48 points against a Mustangs’ team that was ranked No. 4 nationally.

“Isaiah is special,” North Meck coach Duane Lewis said. “It is that simple, Isaiah is special.”

Evans began his career on North Meck’s junior varsity as a freshman, but has been a starter since his sophomore year.

He’s scored more than 2,000 career varsity points in three seasons.

Due to his slender build and shot-making ability, Evans has drawn comparisons to former high school stars Brandon Ingram and Kevin Durant.

“I get the Brandon Ingram and Kevin Durant comparisons,” Evans said. “But, I don’t know, I’m just a different type of player. I’m my own type of player.”

Previous winners

2022-23: Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg

2021-22: Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian

2020-21: Terquavion Smith, Farmville Central

2019-20: Tristan Maxwell, North Mecklenburg

2018-19: Wendell Moore, Cox Mill

2017-18: Coby White, Greenfield School

2016-17: Lavar Batts, Concord Robinson

2015-16: Edrice Adebayo, High Point Christian

2014-15: Brandon Ingram, Kinston

2013-14: Theo Pinson, High Point Christian

2012-13: Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb

2011-12: Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room

2010-11: Terry Whisnant, Cherryville

2009-10: Reggie Bullock, Kinston

2008-09: Mason Plumlee, Arden Christ School

2007-08: Ty Walker, Wilmington N. Hanover

2006-07: Demontez Stitt, Butler

2005-06: Will Graves, Greensboro Dudley

2004-05: Kevin Swinton, Greensboro Dudley

2003-04: Anthony Morrow, Charlotte Latin

2002-03: Chris Paul, West Forsyth

2001-02: Shavlik Randolph, Raleigh Broughton

2000-01: Anthony Richardson, Raleigh Leesville Road

1999-00: Scooter Sherrill, West Rowan

1998-99: Jason Parker, West Charlotte

1997-98: Kris Lang, Gastonia Huss

1996-97: Jenis Grindstaff, Marion McDowell

1995-96: Vincent Whitt, Greensboro Dudley

1994-95: Antawn Jamison, Providence

1993-94: Ishua Benjamin, Concord

1992-93: Jeff Capel, Hope Mills South View

1991-92: Todd Fuller, Charlotte Christian

1990-91: Donald Williams, Garner

1989-90: Rodney Rogers, Durham Hillside

1988-89: Bryant Feggins, Winston-Salem Glenn

1987-88: Kenny Williams, Elizabeth City Northeastern

1986-87: Henrik Rodl, Chapel Hill

1985-86: Robert Brickey, Fayetteville Smith

1984-85: Chucky Brown, North Brunswick