Post by heathwaldrop on Aug 10, 2006 13:08:56 GMT -6
Growth spurt
WKU freshman focused on gaining strength and size
By ROB HERBST, The Daily News, rherbst@bgdailynews.com/783-3238
Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:15 AM CDT
When Western Kentucky first signed Arkansas high school product Jeremy Evans, he was 6-foot-7 1/2.
Now Evans is 6-foot-9, according to WKU coach Darrin Horn.
But the Hilltoppers truly can't wait to see what happens when Evans gains size of another variety - as in pounds.
Evans came to Western at a slender 190 pounds, but since he arrived in July he's done everything possible to pack on pounds.
“All I've been doing is eating, working out and lifting weights,” Evans said. “And coach tells me to take an extra plate of food home.”
Horn added, “He's never seen so much food.”
While Evans might have some room to grow, he makes the Hilltoppers excited at the thought of what kind of basketball player Evans can be on the Hill.
“As he starts to put everything together and improves his body, I think you can see the most growth out of him than anybody,” Horn said.
What Evans brings to Western is plenty of athletic ability. Much has been made about Evans' wingspan, which is currently at 7-foot-2, according to Horn.
Along with that wingspan, Evans also had leaping ability that can make him intimidating in the paint. Those are traits which made him a natural fit for the Hilltoppers.
“You can't give somebody a 7-2 wingspan plus hops,” Horn said. “He has so much ability and he's a terrific athlete.”
But Evans realizes he can't simply rely on his athletic ability while playing in college.
“I was OK defensively in high school,” Evans said. “I could block shots. But mostly right now I'm working on my defense. I just want to do everything I can to help this team and get on the floor.”
Evans originally considered taking his athletic ability to the football field instead of the basketball court.
The Crossett, Ark., native was a wide receiver in middle school before eventually choosing basketball.
“I would've stuck with football if we had thrown the ball more,” Evans said. “(The football coach in high school) always talked about getting me to play, but it was basketball first.”
Evans does come from a football state, and that eventually led him to Western.
Evans said he wanted to play somewhere that had a focus on basketball.
“Mostly just the students from school went to (high school basketball games),” Evans said. “It's football in Arkansas. They didn't put a lot of emphasis on basketball and I wanted to find a place where they love it.”
Evans could eventually play at different spots on the floor, according to Horn. He will eventually be in the paint when he gets playing time, but Evans also brings other skills such as a shooting ability and ballhandling skills.
Versatility is always a trait Western covets when recruiting.
“Right now he's strictly going to be an athletic guy with size, which would put him in the inside range,” Horn said. “Eventually I think he'll be able to shoot the ball and handle it and do other things.”
WKU freshman focused on gaining strength and size
By ROB HERBST, The Daily News, rherbst@bgdailynews.com/783-3238
Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:15 AM CDT
When Western Kentucky first signed Arkansas high school product Jeremy Evans, he was 6-foot-7 1/2.
Now Evans is 6-foot-9, according to WKU coach Darrin Horn.
But the Hilltoppers truly can't wait to see what happens when Evans gains size of another variety - as in pounds.
Evans came to Western at a slender 190 pounds, but since he arrived in July he's done everything possible to pack on pounds.
“All I've been doing is eating, working out and lifting weights,” Evans said. “And coach tells me to take an extra plate of food home.”
Horn added, “He's never seen so much food.”
While Evans might have some room to grow, he makes the Hilltoppers excited at the thought of what kind of basketball player Evans can be on the Hill.
“As he starts to put everything together and improves his body, I think you can see the most growth out of him than anybody,” Horn said.
What Evans brings to Western is plenty of athletic ability. Much has been made about Evans' wingspan, which is currently at 7-foot-2, according to Horn.
Along with that wingspan, Evans also had leaping ability that can make him intimidating in the paint. Those are traits which made him a natural fit for the Hilltoppers.
“You can't give somebody a 7-2 wingspan plus hops,” Horn said. “He has so much ability and he's a terrific athlete.”
But Evans realizes he can't simply rely on his athletic ability while playing in college.
“I was OK defensively in high school,” Evans said. “I could block shots. But mostly right now I'm working on my defense. I just want to do everything I can to help this team and get on the floor.”
Evans originally considered taking his athletic ability to the football field instead of the basketball court.
The Crossett, Ark., native was a wide receiver in middle school before eventually choosing basketball.
“I would've stuck with football if we had thrown the ball more,” Evans said. “(The football coach in high school) always talked about getting me to play, but it was basketball first.”
Evans does come from a football state, and that eventually led him to Western.
Evans said he wanted to play somewhere that had a focus on basketball.
“Mostly just the students from school went to (high school basketball games),” Evans said. “It's football in Arkansas. They didn't put a lot of emphasis on basketball and I wanted to find a place where they love it.”
Evans could eventually play at different spots on the floor, according to Horn. He will eventually be in the paint when he gets playing time, but Evans also brings other skills such as a shooting ability and ballhandling skills.
Versatility is always a trait Western covets when recruiting.
“Right now he's strictly going to be an athletic guy with size, which would put him in the inside range,” Horn said. “Eventually I think he'll be able to shoot the ball and handle it and do other things.”
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