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.

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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.

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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.

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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