Dana Evans:
Photo Courtesy of gocards.com
Number: 1
Height: 5’6
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Hometown: Gary, Indiana
Ratings as Recruit:
- 5* Guard
- 9th Overall Player in the 2017 class (ESPNW Hoopgurlz)
- 3rd Ranked Player According to Prospects Nation
High School Accolades:
- McDonald’s All-American & Jordan Brand All-Star
- Naismith High School All-American
Averaged 35.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 6.2apg, & 5spg as a high school senior.
College Accolades:
- ACC All-Freshman Team
- ACC Sixth Player Of The Year
- ACC Player Of The Year
- All-ACC First Team
- All-ACC Academic Team x2
- All-ACC Tournament Team
What can be said about Dana Evans that hasn’t already been said. Dana has been named to countless preseason award watch lists, and has won more than her share of postseason awards. Dana averaged career highs in points, rebounds, and assists last year (18ppg, 4.2apg, 2.8rpg). Dana was also the first player to win the ACC Sixth Player Of The Year one year and ACC Player Of The Year the next. When it’s all said and down, Dana will be one of the more decorated players to suit up for Louisville basketball.
Coach Walz: “She’s put the time in, that’s one thing I’ll say. She was in that gym all summer. She’s been working on her three. I think she’s really starting to grasp the idea of being a point guard.”
“They are very high on her, but at the same time I think she will benefit from one more year of college basketball. I think her draft status will go up even higher.”
Evans: “We have a lot of different weapons, a lot of different scores. One thing about us though, we’re young. So that’s where I have to be more of a captain and a leader. Being vocal and making sure I’m staying on them.”
Breakdown: One of the first things you notice about Evans when she’s on the floor is her elite speed. I’m talking speed that can give the roadrunner, the Flash, and Sonic the Hedgehog a run for their money. Evans is a much improved, experienced, and explosive floor leader, with exceptional court vision. Evans is an elite guard with excellent court vision. Evans has improved her overall scoring ability since she stepped onto campus. A superb three-point shooter, Evans can score at all three levels and is an excellent free throw shooter. Evans has a great floater when she enters the painted area and is every efficient with her mid-range pull-up jumper. Evans plays the game with great passion and anticipation. Dana is also a very good one-on-one defender and an even off-ball defender.
My Take: Dana Evans has been named to the Drysdale Award Watch List, Naismith Trophy List, and was named ACC Preseason Player Of The Year. This year, this team will go as far as she will take them. Besides Dana’s freshman year, this the biggest collection of offensive talent she’s had at Louisville. With such a young team, as the lone senior and longest tenured Card, Dana will be counted on heavily to provide leadership and a calming influence. Look for Dana to once again lead the team in scoring, assists, and minutes played this year. Although I fully believe Hailey Van Lith will challenge her for scoring leader. So, here is my bold take on Dana Evans: she’s great. She’s just as good as any of the players before her (Sara Nord, Angel McCoughtry, Shoni Schimmel, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Asia Durr), but what will separate her is the NCAA title that she’ll be holding up when her UofL career is over.
