http://www.nba.com/kings/news/A_Closer_Look_Get_Used_to_Mo_-128173-58.html
A Closer Look: Get Used to Mo of Maurice Evans
by Chris Navalta
While ARCO Arena continues to be the place where fan favorites are born, this year’s addition comes as no surprise.
After being away from NBA action over the past two years, Kings swingman Maurice Evans may have found a home here in Sacramento.
Evans, who entered the league in 2001, has spent most of his professional career in Europe. He became a two-time All-Star during his tenure and was even Player of the Year in the Italian League last season.
Now with a chance to shine in the NBA, Evans is making the most of his minutes this season. And while fans have been given a breath of fresh air from this first-year King, Evans says basketball comes as second nature to him.
“I was always one of the top players in the country,” said Evans, referring to his high school years. “For me, it just felt like a natural profession playing basketball.”
Evans graduated from Wichita Collegiate in 1997, where he was given Kansas State High School Player of the Year. He chose to stay close to home, picking Wichita State as his college home. He was named second team All-Missouri Valley Conference after averaging a league-leading 22.6 points per game as a sophomore. He was also among the nation’s top scorers.
The following season, he transferred to Texas, where he made an immediate impact. In the summer of 2000, he was one of just 10 players to play for the One World Select collegiate all-star team that toured Greece.
He was an early entry in the 2001 draft but wound up signing with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent. He signed a two-year deal with the Timberwolves but played just 10 games with the team.
When another team didn’t pick him up, Evans chose to continue his game in Europe. Now that he’s back in the states, Evans knows he has to make the most of whatever amount of minutes he gets on the floor. And the fans appreciate that about him.
“Now that I’m here, I’m just fighting for a position in the rotation,” Evans said. “I’m doing a lot of the dirty work, anything from diving for the ball or playing tough defense. Right now, everyone just has to play their role. And with the right timing and situation, you’ll get to show what you can do.”
Evans graduated in the same high school class as Tracy McGrady, Jumaine Jones and Dion Glover. The only thing different from Evans and the other three is that Evans wasn’t drafted in the NBA. And unless you are a household name, it can be just as hard to stay in the league as it is to break into it. Evans is well-aware of his situation but is confident that a long, solid career in the NBA is ahead of him.
“This is one of the most difficult sports, as far as trying to stay onto a team,” Evans said. “There are only 12 players on a team’s roster. About eight of those guys on the roster will have those spots until they choose to retire. Chris Webber will be in the NBA until he relinquishes his job, along with the Brad Millers, Mike Bibbys, Bobby Jacksons, etc. The other three or four spots are for guys who were given the right opportunity and did what they’re supposed to do with it.”
Evans was invited to training camp but was considered a long shot to make the team. His profile isn’t even featured on this year’s media guide. Still, Evans knew what he had to do if he wanted to establish himself as an NBA player.
“If you’re not a confident player, you don’t belong here,” Evans said. “Everyone here has had individual honors. I’ve accomplished more than some. And other people have accomplished more than me. It’s just great to be able to pull from those experiences and gain confidence. Once you get here, it’s a whole different story."
A Closer Look: Get Used to Mo of Maurice Evans
by Chris Navalta
While ARCO Arena continues to be the place where fan favorites are born, this year’s addition comes as no surprise.
After being away from NBA action over the past two years, Kings swingman Maurice Evans may have found a home here in Sacramento.
Evans, who entered the league in 2001, has spent most of his professional career in Europe. He became a two-time All-Star during his tenure and was even Player of the Year in the Italian League last season.
Now with a chance to shine in the NBA, Evans is making the most of his minutes this season. And while fans have been given a breath of fresh air from this first-year King, Evans says basketball comes as second nature to him.
“I was always one of the top players in the country,” said Evans, referring to his high school years. “For me, it just felt like a natural profession playing basketball.”
Evans graduated from Wichita Collegiate in 1997, where he was given Kansas State High School Player of the Year. He chose to stay close to home, picking Wichita State as his college home. He was named second team All-Missouri Valley Conference after averaging a league-leading 22.6 points per game as a sophomore. He was also among the nation’s top scorers.
The following season, he transferred to Texas, where he made an immediate impact. In the summer of 2000, he was one of just 10 players to play for the One World Select collegiate all-star team that toured Greece.
He was an early entry in the 2001 draft but wound up signing with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent. He signed a two-year deal with the Timberwolves but played just 10 games with the team.
When another team didn’t pick him up, Evans chose to continue his game in Europe. Now that he’s back in the states, Evans knows he has to make the most of whatever amount of minutes he gets on the floor. And the fans appreciate that about him.
“Now that I’m here, I’m just fighting for a position in the rotation,” Evans said. “I’m doing a lot of the dirty work, anything from diving for the ball or playing tough defense. Right now, everyone just has to play their role. And with the right timing and situation, you’ll get to show what you can do.”
Evans graduated in the same high school class as Tracy McGrady, Jumaine Jones and Dion Glover. The only thing different from Evans and the other three is that Evans wasn’t drafted in the NBA. And unless you are a household name, it can be just as hard to stay in the league as it is to break into it. Evans is well-aware of his situation but is confident that a long, solid career in the NBA is ahead of him.
“This is one of the most difficult sports, as far as trying to stay onto a team,” Evans said. “There are only 12 players on a team’s roster. About eight of those guys on the roster will have those spots until they choose to retire. Chris Webber will be in the NBA until he relinquishes his job, along with the Brad Millers, Mike Bibbys, Bobby Jacksons, etc. The other three or four spots are for guys who were given the right opportunity and did what they’re supposed to do with it.”
Evans was invited to training camp but was considered a long shot to make the team. His profile isn’t even featured on this year’s media guide. Still, Evans knew what he had to do if he wanted to establish himself as an NBA player.
“If you’re not a confident player, you don’t belong here,” Evans said. “Everyone here has had individual honors. I’ve accomplished more than some. And other people have accomplished more than me. It’s just great to be able to pull from those experiences and gain confidence. Once you get here, it’s a whole different story."
