Dana Evans’ WNBA career didn’t start off the way she nor most national media anticipated. Evans was once considered a top-6 pick in the draft and the belief was there was no way she’d drop past the 8th pick. The entire 1st round was called and Evans was still on the board. She didn’t have to wait to long though, as she heard her name first in round 2. The Dallas Wings were the team that called her name. Evans played a small role for the Wings early in the season and ultimately was traded to the Chicago Sky on June 2nd.
Dana averaged 3.3 ppg, 1 apg, and shot over 88% from the free throw line and 40% from beyond the arc. Her performance earned her a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie team. Evans appeared in 29 games and averaged 7.6 mpg.
Second straight year with a former Cardinal on the AP All-Rookie Team 👊
Congrats @Danaaakianaaa!
📰: https://t.co/qxs0pT0rbD#GoCards pic.twitter.com/adxSxhpdWs
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) September 23, 2021
The Chicago Sky made quick work of the Dallas Wings in the single-game elimination round. Dana had 3 points and 2 rebounds, while playing 6:59 minutes in the Sky’s 81-64 victory. Chicago also defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a single-game elimination 89-76.
In the third round, the Chicago Sky faced the top-seeded Connecticut Sun. The sun set on the Sun rather quickly, as the Sky eliminated the Sun 3-1.
The Chicago Sky won their first WNBA Championship, as they defeated the Phoenix Mercury 3-1 in the WNBA finals. Dana had the crowd rocking towards the end of game 3, where she hit three consecutive 3s late in the fourth quarter. Dana averaged just under 8 mpg in the finals.
Roll call! Game 4 of the #WNBAFinals is on NOW with @Danaaakianaaa
Card Nation, you tuning in?#GoCards
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) October 17, 2021
It’s safe to say that Dana Evans’ career didn’t start off how she envisioned it, but she couldn’t have asked for a better ending to year 1 as a WNBA player.
This one is for you, Chicago. 🏆
The Chicago Sky are your 2021 WNBA Champions. pic.twitter.com/Pv4KiTzLIA
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 17, 2021
Dana said PERIODT!! @Danaaakianaaa pic.twitter.com/AIsXNzkGwc
— Khristina Williams (@Khristina2334) October 18, 2021
“God doesn’t make mistakes.”
👏 @Danaaakianaaa 👏#GoCards x #ProCards pic.twitter.com/tvL7IYbhYY
— Louisville Athletics (@GoCards) October 18, 2021
Dana Evans resume consist of:
McDonald’s All-American
ACC All-Freshman Team
ACC 6th Player Of The Year
2x ACC Player Of The Year
2x College All-American
13th Overall pick WNBA Draft
WNBA All-Rookie Team
WNBA Champion
Not bad for a kid from Gary, Indiana who went to Louisville. Her journey has only just begun and it has been quite extraordinary. It should be fun to see what year 2 holds for the former Louisville great.
#ProCards #L1C4
