Tag: Kwame Evans Jr.

Ducks vs Lumberjacks Instant Reactions: Oregon runs away from SFA

In a choppy game full of turnovers, Oregon’s talent and depth wins out with an 18-point win over Stephen F. Austin.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Ducks will certainly take it.

In a somewhat choppy game that saw a combined 41 turnovers, Oregon was able to defeat Stephen F. Austin 79-61 inside Matthew Knight Arena.

For the first time this season, the Ducks were coming off of a loss and Oregon didn’t play up to its standards, but its depth and talent won over what was an inferior Lumberjack team that fell to 5-6 on the season. SFA shot just 15 percent from the three-point line, going 3-of-20 from long range.

The No. 12-ranked Ducks moved to 10-1 overall on the season and won’t see action for another six days as they are scheduled to go to San Jose, Calif. next Saturday to face former Pac-12 foe Stanford.

Beyond the win, Oregon’s focus is going to be on the health of forward Kwame Evans, Jr., who went down with an apparent knee injury in the second half.

Ducks vs. Lumberjacks Keys to the Game

  • Oregon got off to a hot start, or, more accurately, Stephen F. Austin got off to an extremely slow start. The Ducks were up 18-4 in the game’s first eight minutes.
  • SFA wasn’t exactly on target with most of their shots. The Lumberjacks were just 10-of-39 shooting in the first half and just 3-of-16 from long range. Oregon was a little better as the Ducks 11-of-23 from the field and 4-of-10 from three-point range.
  • Oregon had trouble rebounding the ball in the first half against the more physical Lumberjack team. The two teams were equal on the boards in the first 20 minutes, but SFA had a 14-6 advantage in the offensive rebound category.
  • It was a little better in the second half offensively for the Ducks as they scored 42 points after halftime, but Dana Altman won’t be happy giving up 38 second-half points.
  • Oregon shot the ball well for the night, at a 51 percent clip, but the 19 turnovers will keep the coaching staff up at night.
  • Towards the end of the game with about five minutes remaining, Oregon forward Kwame Evans, Jr. went down with a knee injury, but it didn’t look good. The sophomore couldn’t put any pressure on his left knee. It’s not known yet how serious the injury was.

Ducks vs. Lumberjacks Players of the Game

  • Brandon Angel: 15 points, 6 rebounds
  • Supreme Cook: 14 points
  • Jadrian Tracey: 14 points, 7 rebounds
  • Nate Bittle: 13 points
  • Matt Hayman (SFA): 17 points

Ducks vs. Lumberjacks Notable Stats

  • Offensive Rebounds: SFA 19, Oregon 13
  • Turnovers: SFA 22, Oregon 19
  • Points Off Turnovers: Oregon 26, SFA 11

What’s Next for Oregon Ducks?

  • Dec.  21 — at Stanford Cardinal (San Jose, Calif.)
  • Dec. 29 — vs. Weber State Wildcats
  • Jan. 2 — vs. No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini
  • Jan. 5 — vs. Maryland Terrapins
  • Jan. 9 — at Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ducks will now go into familiar territory as they go down to San Jose, Calif. to face an 8-2 Stanford team next weekend. After that, just one more non-conference game left with Weber State before the Big Ten season gets into full swing.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Oregon vs. UC Riverside: Instant Reactions to Ducks’ season-opening win vs. Highlanders

Oregon’s depth proves to be too much in the 91-76 season-opening win over UC-Riverside.

The Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team didn’t have an exhibition game this season and instead jumped right into the deep end of the pool

The UC-Riverside Highlanders stayed in the game with their three-point shooting, but ultimately the Ducks had too many weapons in the 91-76 season-opening win at Matthew Knight Arena.

Oregon showed it could go as many as 10-deep and not lose a step. It was an impressive showing with all of the transfers and young players seeing significant playing time for the first time. But the Ducks looked as if they had been playing together for several seasons instead of a few months.

Oregon vs. UC-Riverside Keys to the Game

  • Kwame Evans got the offense going with seven quick points to begin the game on his way to a strong game for the sophomore.
  • Oregon’s press created pressure and Riverside wasn’t able to handle it well. The press let the Ducks increase their lead at the end of the first half as Oregon eventually took a 51-36 advantage at the break.
  • The Highlanders cut into the Ducks’ lead throughout the second half thanks to their three-point shooting, but never came close than seven points.

Oregon vs. UC-Riverside Players of the Game

  • Kwame Evans: 23 points, 6 rebounds
  • Brandon Angel: 17 points, 5-of-6 FG, 7-of-7 free throws
  • Nate Bittle: 16 points, 11 rebounds
  • TJ Bamba: 12 points
  • Barrington Hargress (UCR): 20 points, 4-of-10 3-pt FG

Oregon vs. UC-Riverside Notable Stats

  • Free throws: Oregon 19-of-25, UCR 6-of-12
  • UCR: 12-of-34 for 3-pt FG
  • Turnovers: Oregon 8, UCR 8
  • Oregon: 33-of-66 (50 percent) FG

What’s Next for Oregon Ducks?

  • List Next 5 games on the schedule
  • Nov. 8 — vs. Montana Grizzlies
  • Nov. 12 — vs. Portland Pilots
  • Nov.  17 — vs. Troy Trojans
  • Nov. 22 — at Oregon State Beavers
  • Nov. 26 — vs. Texas A&M Aggies (Las Vegas, Player’s Era Festival)

Oregon wants to get battle-tested early and often with its non-conference schedule before the Ducks enter the Big Ten for the first time. Montana, Troy and Texas A&M should provide good tests for the Ducks in the coming weeks.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Kwame Evans Jr. announces return to Oregon for 2024-25 season

Big-time returner for the Ducks in 2024.

Kwame Evans Jr., a freshman power forward for the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team, will return to Oregon for the 2024-25 season. Evans announced the news Tuesday morning on Twitter.

After the Ducks lost Creighton in the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament and their season came to a close, Evans left his future at Oregon ambiguous, telling Oregonian reporter James Crepea that it was “hard to tell,” what his future looked like.

Evans was a key player for the Ducks throughout last season, and he could be even more impactful going forward. As a freshman, Evans averaged 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, while also averaging more than one steal and one block each game.

In 2023-24, Evans did experience some struggles finding consistency in his game. Smoked layups and defensive breakdowns weren’t uncommon for the freshman. But what has never been in doubt is Evans’ talent and potential to grow. Even from the start of the season to the end, Evans transformed his game, and there’s no cap on what he can do going forward.

Evans came to Oregon as a 5-star recruit in the class of 2023, and he was joined by Jackson Shelstad and Mookie Cook — two Portland natives who were also highly sought after in their recruiting class. Shelstad and Cook have both announced their intent to return to Eugene in the fall, and now that the trio of elite recruits has a year of experience, Oregon could be a dangerous team come fall.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Photo Gallery: Oregon closes the season with a win on Senior Night

A photo gallery of the best images from the Oregon Ducks 2024 men’s basketball Senior Night.

On Saturday, the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team played their final 2023-24 regular season game in Matthew Knight Arena, beating the Utah Utes 66-65 on Senior Night. On Thursday, the Ducks will tip off their first game of the Pac-12 tournament, against the winner of the UCLA vs. Oregon State first-round matchup.

Both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket in Saturday’s game, but because of the defensive battle, the score of the game was tight throughout. The Ducks got their biggest spark midway through the second half when N’Faly Dante finished at the rim on three consecutive possessions, drawing and-one fouls on two of the baskets.

Saturday wasn’t just another game for Oregon, it was also Senior Night. The Ducks senior class includes N’Faly Dante, Jermaine Couisnard, Keeshawn Barthelemy, Kario Oquendo, and Mahamadou Diawara, as well as walk-ons Gabe Reichle and Caleb McCloud. Since the Ducks are likely bound for the NIT again this season, this probably won’t be these senior’s last game at Matthew Knight.

Below are the best images from the Oregon Ducks’ 2023-24 Senior Night win over Utah.

 

5-star PF Kwame Evans Jr. announces top four, sets commitment date

Auburn will be battling Arizona, Kentucky, and Oregon for him.

Auburn is in the final group for of one the best players in the country.

Five-star power forward and top 10 prospect [autotag]Kwame Evans Jr.[/autotag] is down to Auburn, Kentucky, Oregon, and Arizona. He will announce his decision on Aug. 15.

He is ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect and the No. 3 power forward in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He is also ranked as the top player from Florida.

The 6-foot-9, 200-pound Evans took official visits to each of his final four schools. His trip to Auburn was on June 13.

Evans is full of potential but like many high schoolers is far from a finished product. He is still working to turn his length, versatility, and shooting into a more consistent product. Whenever it is all clicking for his he is capable of taking over, its just a matter of him being able to do so consistently, something he has improved at.

It looks like Evans will be headed to the PAC-12 as four of the five Crystal Ball predictions from 247Sports favor Arizona.

Auburn is still looking for their first commit of the 2023 recruiting class but is connected to several top players.

[mm-video type=video id=01g7zjgv5gvprdr0s0p1 playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g7zjgv5gvprdr0s0p1/01g7zjgv5gvprdr0s0p1-84dedc5957cc29a92113c10feed52cf6.jpg]

[listicle id=50788]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

 

 

Auburn basketball is set to host 2023 power forward for official visit

2023 five-star forward Kwame Evans Jr. will be visiting Auburn from June 13-15.

On Monday, Joe Tipton of On3  reported that 2023 power forward Kwame Evans Jr. will be visiting Auburn from June 13-15. Evans Jr. recently released his top five schools — Auburn, Kentucky, Indiana, Oregon, and UCLA. However, Arizona has entered the mix since his top five was released.

Evans Jr. is regarded as a five-star according to 247Sports’ recruiting rankings. He is listed at 6-foot-9 and 200 pounds. The product of Montverde Academy has a similar frame to former Tigers sensation Jabari Smith. If he can live up to the hype, the Tigers coaching staff would certainly use Evans Jr. in a similar role.

Since releasing his top five schools, he has taken official visits to both Arizona and Oregon. Auburn will be the third school to receive an official visit. Here is what Evans Jr. said in an interview with 247Sports basketball analyst Travis Branham:

“I’m setting up an official right now but Jabari Smith, that’s what they’re wanting me to come in as and the coaching staff, I want to see the people out there.”

As of right now, there is no clear-cut leader in Evans Jr.’s recruitment. The Maryland native is still taking his time as a timeline for his decision has not been released. Auburn likes their chances and would love to add one of the more premier players in the country to their 2023 recruiting class.

[mm-video type=video id=01g3sqrf92g55e92cma7 playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3sqrf92g55e92cma7/01g3sqrf92g55e92cma7-4363ac1e3cfbd85f31ace419fc82ebc7.jpg]

[listicle id=48270]

Auburn listed in top five for 2023 five-star prospect

Auburn listed in the top five for five-star foward in 2023 class.

Joe Tipton of On3 reported on Monday that 2023 five-star forward Kwame Evans Jr. is now down to five schools. One of those schools was the Auburn Tigers. The other four schools listed were Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, and UCLA.

Evans is one of the more premier prospects in the 2023 class. He already plays for an upper-echelon high school in Montverde Academy. The Eagles have produced several superstars that are now in the NBA such as Scottie Barnes, D’Angelo Russell, Precious Achiuwa, and Ben Simmons. In recent years, current college basketball players Jalen Duren (Memphis) and Zeb Jackson (VCU) played for the program. The two will likely be drafted in the near future. With that being said, Evans has faced some of the best talent in the entire country and could potentially be the highest-rated recruit in Auburn history if he chooses the Tigers. It will definitely be something to keep an eye on in the future.

Kwame Evans Jr. Film

Kwame Evans Jr. Recruiting Profile