Five things you may not know about Tyreke Evans
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Pelicans.com, @Jim_Eichenhofer
1) Since 2008, Evans and Damian Lillard are the only players to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award after not being chosen as a top-two draft pick. Kyrie Irving (2011-12 winner), Blake Griffin (2010-11) and Derrick Rose (2008-09) were No. 1 overall draft choices. Kevin Durant (2007-2008) was the second pick. Evans was taken fourth by Sacramento in June 2009.
2) Evans made one of the most incredible game-winning shots in NBA history vs. Memphis on Dec. 29, 2010, draining a three-point heave from beyond halfcourt. Notice a Grizzlies PR man nearly inadvertently blocking DeMarcus Cousins’ passing lane to Evans by mistakenly walking onto the court with 1.5 seconds still remaining.
3) There are now three Pelicans players whose college head coach was John Calipari. Evans played for Coach Cal at Memphis in 2008-09, while Anthony Davis and Darius Miller did likewise during Kentucky’s championship season of 2011-12. That was Miller’s third Wildcats season with Calipari.
4) Evans was extremely active in the Sacramento community, including hosting a charity basketball camp that was highlighted by free eye exams for children.
5) Despite playing in a small market for a team that has struggled in recent seasons, Evans has built a legion of young fans partly due to his slick ball-handling and finishing skills.