Evans chooses Memphis

Villanova lost out on top recruit Tyreke Evans, as he announced in a press conference today that he will be attending Memphis University. I'm not gonna lie and say Villanova will be better off without him, but Evans could have caused some chemistry issues if he joined the Wildcats. The kid has a huge ego and may have been more worried about his stats and his NBA draft stock than winning games and playing team ball. Just take a look at some of his comments in a recent ESPN.com chat: Aaron Arrington, Philadelphia,Pa: Who do you look up to the most? why?
Tyreke Evans: Me!
Never mind the fact that he felt the need to call a nationally televised press conference to make his decision in the first place.

Evans may have been the final piece that could have pushed Villanova over the edge and become a National Championship contender, but this isn't a major blow to the program. Next season Villanova returns every player from a team that reached the Sweet Sixteen, and they have two available scholarships in case anybody else pops up. Nova will add Taylor King and Maalik Wayns in 2009, and Jay Wright can now devote his full attention to new recruits like Dominic Cheek.

In this day and age things can change quickly. Although he agreed to a contract extension, Memphis coach John Calipari may change his mind and decide to coach elsewhere. So for now Tyreke Evans is Memphis-bound, but you never know what may happen in the future.

Tyreke Evans update

Tyreke Evans visited with the Villanova basketball staff at Jay Wright's house last Tuesday night, and he is reportedly "leaning heavily toward picking Villanova".

Quotes from Tyreke: "After eating with Jay and talking to Jay, he kept it real with me. He told me the things I wanted to hear and some things I didn't want to hear but will make me a better player."
"He showed me the respect he has for the players and how much of a family they are."

Evans will make his decision in front of a televised press conference on April 16.

Evans named MVP

Tyreke Evans was named the MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game. He helped the East to a 107-102 victory over the West squad. Evans had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the game.

After the game he told reporters that he is no longer considering Louisville, leaving four schools on his list: Villanova, Memphis, UConn, and Texas.

Tyreke's decision awaits

"Uncommitted senior Tyreke Evans, ranked No. 4 in the current ESPN 150, will make his decision on April 16, the first day of the spring signing period, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. Evans will announce his choice at a press conference to be carried live on ESPN. The schools involved are Memphis, Louisville, Villanova, Connecticut and Texas and the 6-foot-6 guard says he is not leaning towards any one program. "I will look at everything," Evans said."

Maybe this run in the tournament will sway Tyreke's decision in Villanova's favor. This run may also affect Scottie Reynolds' NBA draft status. Scottie's stock is rising as Villanova goes deeper in the tournament. Last year Reynolds stated that he plans to stay four years, but things change, especially when there's millions of dollars on the line. If Reynolds were to make the jump to the NBA, Tyreke would probably be more likely to choose Villanova, where he could be the star guard in his hometown. If Reynolds stays in college, Evans may see himself as the missing piece to help Villanova win a title next year.

Tyreke

Tyreke Evans, ranked the #2 recruit in the ESPN Top 150, struggled in a nationally televised game last night when his American Christian Eagles lost to the #2 nationally ranked St. Anthony of New Jersey 64-53. Evans score 17 points on 7-21 shooting. Tyreke is set to make his final official visit to Memphis this weekend to see the #1 Tigers play #2 Tennessee on Saturday. The top unsigned recruit in the country is considering Memphis, Villanova, Louisville, UConn, and Texas. Evans maintains, "I have no favorites out of the five schools. I haven't ruled anyone out. You hear a lot of talk about me going here and there, but I haven't really put one school out there above the others, and I haven't eliminated any, either."

Evans Lites up Pavilion

Tyreke Evans lit up the Pavilion, for what hopefully won't be his last time playing there. The 6'6 possible Villanova recruit had 33 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals in American Christian's 78-71 victory over Academy of the New Church. They played in the Pavilion on Villanova's campus for the Kobe Bryant Scholastic Play-by-Play Classic. Evans still hasn't decided where he will play his college ball next year, but Louisville, Villanova, and Memphis are high on his list. Evans has stated that playing in the NCAA tournament is a major factor for him, which would lean him towards Memphis because they are in the weaker Conference-USA. But Tyreke should keep in mind that Memphis will likely lose several key players to the NBA after this season, and probably won't be as good. Villanova's recent struggles shouldn't deter him from wanting to come to the Main Line because Villanova will likely return all of its players, and will be more experienced next season. He also shouldn't be worried about playing time with the abundance of guards on the team. Villanova's top scoring guards, Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, and Malcolm Grant, are all 6'2 and under. Evans at 6'6 would provide Villanova with a scoring guard with height. Evans has until May 16 to make his decision.