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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Jawun Evans?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 9, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) shoots as Iowa State Cyclones guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) looks on in the first half during the Big 12 Championship Tournament at Sprint Center. Iowa State won 92-83. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) shoots as Iowa State Cyclones guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) looks on in the first half during the Big 12 Championship Tournament at Sprint Center. Iowa State won 92-83. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Feb 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) is fouled by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Keenan Evans (12) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Sites Say

Josh Riddell & Julian Applebome, DraftExpress

"Oklahoma State ran a pick and roll heavy offense with 56.3% of Evans’ total derived offensive possessions (which includes shots, passes, fouls drawn, and turnovers) ending as the pick and roll ball handler according to Synergy Sports Technology. He showed that he is comfortable attacking the ball screen in a variety of ways, whether by rejecting the screen to get into the lane or forcing a switch to attack a big man off the dribble. He gets into space with a creative change of pace and impressive downhill quickness to bend the defense, and he should be able to seamlessly make the transition to a NBA style offense as he led the most efficient offense in the country primarily through his pick and roll attack."

NBADraft.net

"After a promising freshman season cut short by injury, Jawun Evans came back and further established himself as both a dynamic scorer and distributor in the college ranks … Evans really has a good understanding of operating in the pick and roll, as well as artfully using screens to get a good shot … His ability to run an offense, understand spacing, and create for others will directly translate to the pro game. . . . Defensively Evans will have trouble at the next level … While 5’11.5’’ in shoes he does sport a nice wingspan, but he’s not overly strong for his size, nor is he an elite athlete … His effort is a plus, though, but he’ll be easy to shoot over in the NBA."

Chris Stone, The Step Back

"Evans averaged 26.2 points and 8.7 assists per 40 minutes while finishing with a 7.7 Offensive Box Plus/Minus score, which tied for the 15th highest mark nationally. It would be hard to get more out of a point guard than what he gave the Cowboys as a sophomore. Given those top level numbers, there has to be an elephant in the room that is holding Evans back from being considered among the top prospects in the 2017 class. There is. He measured just 5-foot-11.5 at the Nike Basketball Academy in 2016, which obviously puts him on the smaller end for an NBA player. Only 18 players 6-foot tall or shorter suited up for NBA teams this season. While three of those players — Chris Paul, Isaiah Thomas and Kyle Lowry — were among the best in the league, there is simply a lower margin for error with smaller players at the next level. Many of Evans’ successes and shortcomings can be traced back to his height."