Tyreke Evans, using those super long arms of his. (via Memphis Commercial Appeal)

Chad Ford chose him. Mike Ulmer chose him. But should the Toronto Raptors choose him? I ask the experts, root around the internets and dug up this mess of Tyreke Evans info.

As always, we start with the basics:

• Position: point guard (see below)
• Height: 6′5″ or 6′6″, depending on who you ask
• Birth date: September 19, 1989
• Nicknames: Too Easy, Wreak Havoc

Some comments from Jonathan Givony, in handy-dandy bullet form:

• the point was the only position we’ve ever saw him play from watching him in high school, prep school and the AAU circuit over the last three years [Pete says: So he's naturally a PG, with potential to be a SG.]
• Evans has improved his efficiency while developing into the #1 scorer in this freshman class—putting up 23 points per-40 minutes pace adjusted
• ranks as one of the top rebounding guards in college basketball, pulling down over 7 per-40
• one of the top ball-thieves at 3.1 steals per-40
• amongst the NCAA leaders in field goal attempts and turnovers (at 4.5 per-40), highlighting his shoot-first mentality
• one of the premier shot-creators in the country
• near unparalleled combination of strength, aggressiveness and scoring instincts at the college level
• terrific footwork, body control, and hesitation moves
• excellent job pushing the ball up the floor in transition
• an absolute bulldozer slashing his way through the paint and creating contact at the rim
• can get to the free throw line
• pretty effective at finding teammates off the dribble
• terrific wingspan
• excellent knack for getting in the passing lanes
• loses his defensive focus from time to time in the half-court and tends to get out of his stance
• excellent basketball instincts and has a great sense for making plays for himself and others
• shows great pick-and-roll potential
• incredibly ball-dominant, often looking like a fish out of water when he’s forced to give up the rock for more than a few seconds; often over-dribbling
• questionable decision-making skills
• incredibly poor shot-selection
• poor shooting mechanics – fades away unnecessarily on every attempt, only converts a dismal 25% of his jump-shots
• settles for jumpers on a regular basis—they make up about 40% of his possessions, often with a hand in his face and early in the shot clock
• gives impression of a selfish player

Also check out Evans’ DX profile for more strengths and weaknesses. 

Evans’ strengths seem quite compelling. What say you, Brendan K. of 2nd Round Reach?

I’m sort of a Memphis Tigers fan, since I lived just outside of Memphis for a while. Evans was a really hotly recruited guy, one and done was a given with him. John Calipari originally started him as a shooting guard, but when he moved to the point halfway through the season he exploded. He’d probably be a combo guard in the NBA. Very athletic scorer, and he’s at least 6′5″ (not sure what that is in metric.) Not the best shooter, especially from deep, but he should become a pretty good perimeter defender. This draft isn’t exactly stocked with superstars, so getting a player like Evans (who could be special, but at the very least become a career starter) would be pretty good. I like him more than Brandon Jennings right now, and he’d fill a need for the Raps, right?

Thanks, Brendan — wasn’t sure you followed college ball, though I knew you had Memphis ties.
 
Yeah, Evans would fill a need on this Raptors team – scoring depth – but defense is a greater need. I guess the draft isn’t the only way to get it.
 
From netsurfing, I see that Evans is a scorer with a huge wingspan (7′3″), but a dominant ball handler who turns it over a bit much. Comparisons include T-Mac, Jamal Crawford and … ugh … Larry Hughes.

Yeah, Evans wants the ball, but he’s got a lot of potential. He was arguably the best player in the NCAA tournament until Memphis was eliminated, and he stepped up big as a leader. Derrick Rose is a quiet-type, but Evans just took over, even as a freshman. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s like Jamal Crawford — he’s a better passer and closer to an actual PG. Remember when Hughes had that big season for Washington? Kind of like that maybe? And he’s more athletic than any of those guys.

Good stuff. When I think of Larry Hughes, I think of the stoptakingsomanybadshots Larry Hughes. Glad to get your angle on things.

Now, I see that Evans was on Gunnin’ for the #1 Spot. You watched and reviewed it, SML. What did you see from Evans?

I’ve been racking my brain about this, and I have to admit, I barely remember much about Tyreke from the movie.  But here is what I do remember (and he doesn’t get much of a profile in the movie, unfortunately):
 
Tyreke’s background is that he is from Chester, PA.  He was raised by his older brothers, all of whom were also ballers.  Each brother passed their skills onto the next one, sorta like Stephon Marbury’s family.  It’s a really run-down city… Chester looks like a pretty bad place, in the movie.
 
In the movie, he was 16 years old, and put on some moves, including a few on Lance Stephenson, a surefire pick in next year’s (2010’s) lottery.
 
Evans played at Memphis this past season.  Once he cracked the starting rotation, the Tigers went undefeated, until their loss in the tourney. 
 
He is a prototypical shooting guard – listed at 6′6, with a wet shot from downtown.  Unfortunately, he shoots his jumper really off-balance… it always looks like a fadeaway, even when he’s actually not fading away (just watch a YouTube clip of him shooting, and you’ll see what I’m talking about).  It’s bad technique. 
 
He has great streetball handle, and tends to get into the lane, but generally finishes … soft.  Not in a bad way – he just tends to not have the powerful burst to dunk on people, so instead he tends to rely on floaters, finger-rolls and two foot fading jumpers to finish when he gets penetration.
 
I think the NBA Draft site compares him to Jamal Crawford.  That’s the best comparison I could come up with, too.  He’s a streaky shooter with good range, but his awkward technique and soft finishes means that he could get cold quickly, especially if his legs are tired.  Crawford indeed.
 
That’s not the worst you could do in the draft, and given the Raptors’ needs … well, I’ll let you decide whether you want a minimum wage Crawford on your team.  I would say that, in my opinion, as long as he’s not a first or second option (he won’t be as long as Bosh and Bargnani are around), he might be a decent complementary player.  The kind who can get hot and carry the team for a quarter or two, but not someone you want to rely on too much. [Pete's note: Sounds like a sixth man-type.]

Thanks for the info, SML. Your memory seems pretty good to me!

So will Evans succeed as a PG or SG in the League? Tom Ziller answers with comparisons to O.J. Mayo and Dwyane Wade.

Well, I’m convinced.

I can see “Too Easy” wreaking havoc as a sixth-man combo guard for the Raptors, pushing Anthony Parker — and the very similar Roko Ukic — out of the picture. Will Evans be available at the ninth pick? Will he even stay in the draft? (Why not, as a projected lottery pick?) Time will tell.

Related reading:

• Wikipedia’s Tyreke Evans entry
• Scout.com profile
• College Hoops Net profile
• Rufus On Fire says: Tyreke Evans
• Sportspolymath profiles Evans
• Shoals: Evans to surge up draft board
• BMac: Evans has superstar potential

What do you think of Tyreke Evans in a Raptors uni? Comment below.