In the Lions’ game against Catonsville Dec. 9, they took an 11-point lead into halftime and were keeping the Comets at bay when freshman guard Ché Evans Jr. fell to the ground in pain after jumping for a loose ball.
Evans, who scored 10 points in the game, stayed down for a couple of minutes, clutching at his right ankle in front of a silent gym.
He was diagnosed with a sprained ankle, and according to head coach Matt Lochte, will be out for a few games. But he’ll still be a major factor for the Lions when he heals.
Lochte had the highest of praises for Evans.
“Ché Evans Jr. is as talented as any 14 or 15-year old I’ve seen,” Lochte said. “He legitimately has an opportunity to be great.”
So far this season Evans has averaged 12.3 points per game as a starter, leading the team to a 2-1 start. His success derives from hard work.
“I work out every day, and if I don’t, my dad gets on me,” he said, adding that he tries to put up at least 500 shots a day.
Evans has received four offers from Division I schools: St. John’s, Georgia Tech, University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Texas Christian University.
Evans’ versatility has gotten him a lot of this attention.
“He’s a 6-foot, 6-inch player that can dribble it, can shoot it and can pass it,” Lochte said.
For Evans, basketball runs in the family. His father and two of his uncles played hoops in college and overseas. Evans himself has lofty expectations, striving to make it to the National Basketball Association.
“That’s my main goal, and that’s what I’m focusing on,” Evans said.
At this school, we are pretty spoiled basketball fans. We have had the fortune of watching Division I and II level talents on a yearly basis.
But Ché Evans Jr. has the potential to be one of the best players in school history, and he doesn’t shy away from it.
“I need to improve my intensity and motor,” he said. “If I turn it up, I will most likely be unstoppable.”