Rice basketball took a huge blow today as top scorer Marcus Evans was released from his scholarship. The high-flying sophomore will transfer for his final two seasons.
Rice basketball was on the upswing this year. They won 23 games and made the CBI Tournament where they lost a close game to Utah Valley. Almost the entire roster was on track to come back for what could have been a big season. The Owls might have even had the pieces to challenge for the Conference-USA title.
Those hopes took a big hit when an announcement broke that leading scorer Marcus Evans had been released from his scholarship with intent to transfer.
Rice guard Marcus Evans has asked for his release from the program and will transfer. Incredibly talented player, Owls will miss him.
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) March 27, 2017
Evans should immediately be one of the top options on the transfer trail. The 6’2″, 195-pound sophomore scored 19.0 points per game this year. He also chipped in 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Evans also shot 38% from deep. The sky really was the limit for the Owls with, but another team will have a tremendous option on their hands after next season. Evans has to sit out if he goes to a D1 school, but will return to the hardwood in 2018-2019.
Evans is leaving after VCU hired former Owl Mike Rhoades as its next head coach. Assistant Scott Pera was elevated to lead the program, but it clearly wasn’t enough to keep the program’s best player in-house. Evans will have tons of schools after him, but can’t go to another C-USA school or crosstown rival Houston. Watch his transfer recruitment closely.
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This is a huge loss for an improving Rice program, but there is still talent in Houston. Leading the way should be Egor Koulechov. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and best overall shooter. Guards Marcus Jackson, Connor Cashaw, and Chad Lott can also try to step in and fill Evan’s shoes. Rice could still compete for an NCAA bid next year.