Evans rebuilds reputation with strong play in summer

After falling in the recruiting rankings, Tyreke Evans took it as a personal challenge to perform better on the summer scene. Kelly Kline

Last spring, before Tyreke Evans set out on his final journey through the summer basketball circuit, the American Christian (Aston, Pa.) shooting guard knew where he stood in the eyes of many recruiting pundits.

When he shot, critics said he shot too much. When he passed, they claimed he wasn't aggressive enough. When he continued to increase the arc on his shot and faded away like Tracy McGrady, he was dubbed a wannabe. The message was the same: Evans was bored and playing uninspired.

The result? Evans was dropped from his perch atop many of the rankings services. First, he saw Helen Cox (Harvey, La.) forward Greg Monroe vault to the top spot, which was fine with him. He had seen Monroe play, and he agreed he was worthy competition. But when others moved past Evans, that's when it clicked. "I felt that people needed to be reminded of my game and what I could do," says Evans. "I was on top for a long time, and I think some people were looking for flaws in my game."

Having been ranked No. 1 in his class since the seventh grade, Evans, now 17, saw the July period as a chance to rebut. And he did. At the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs he scored 43 points, showcasing a mature shot selection and sharper ball handling. Likewise, he impressed during the LeBron James Skills Academy a week later. "I think leadership and defense were the things I improved during the summer," says Evans. "I had to grow more, and I think I did."

On the last day at LeBron, though, he injured his back, leaving him unable to participate at the Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C. Without him, his AAU team, did not make it out of pool play. But two weeks later, with Evans in the lineup, they won the AAU national title in Orlando. A few days later, he walked away with tournament MVP honors at Nike's Global Challenge in Portland, Ore. "I played with a big chip on my shoulder," says Evans, who still has two more events lined up in August before returning to school. "People wanted to test me and see if I still was the best in 2008, so I went out to show them."

One college assistant, who has followed Evans, says: "He played with an inspired energy that was obviously in contrast to the way people were questioning. I think he proved that he can be a team player and that he can get his own shot at the same time."

Having been linked to Louisville, Evans says he has not committed anywhere. In his top five are Memphis, Texas, Villanova, UConn and the Cardinals. "Which coaches have come to see me play is important," says Evans, who lists Rick Pitino and Jay Wright as those most frequently in attendance for his games. Rick Barnes has come to watch, and Jim Calhoun has eyed him, too.

Nevertheless, he is back in Pennsylvania, playing pick-up games at Villanova's off-campus practice gym against former Wildcats like Mike Nardi and Kyle Lowry as well as current guard Scottie Reynolds. Never one to look far for a quick evaluation of his game, Evans says, "I think the rankings motivated me, but it's playing against the older guys that has gotten me this far. I have to think like a college player even though I'm still in high school."