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VCU Basketball: Rams land one of top transfers on market

By Carmine Carcieri

Feb 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls guard Marcus Evans (2) brings the ball upcourt against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the second half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls guard Marcus Evans (2) brings the ball upcourt against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the second half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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VCU basketball may be losing some key pieces, including their former head coach Will Wade, but they are adding one of the best transfers in the NCAA.

Former Rice Owl Marcus Evans was one of the most coveted transfers in NCAA basketball as multiple major programs, including the Miami Hurricanes, were interested in his services.

Related Story: VCU recruiting class finding its form in 2017

But instead of finishing his career in a Power 5 league, Evans has followed Rice head coach Mike Rhoades to VCU to play for the Rams in the Atlantic 10. Evans will have to sit out the 2017-18 season, due to the NCAA-mandated transfer rules, before having two years of eligibility starting in 2018-19.

Despite being labeled as a two-star recruit and receiving offers from only mid-major programs out of high school, Evans had a profound impact with Rice from the get-go. During his freshman season, the 6’2″ guard averaged 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 47 percent from the field, 31 percent from three and 80 percent from the free throw strike.

Evans’ efficiency from the field and scoring average decreased this past season, but he raised his three-point percentage (38 percent) and his playmaking ability (3.7 assists per game).

Even though Evans is undersized and needs to cut down on his turnovers, he is a born scorer who will give the Rams creativity from all three levels and an outlet when the shot clock is winding down. After losing Melvin Johnson following the 2015-16 season and Je’Quan Lewis after this past season, VCU needs to find ways to replace both players’ perimeter shooting and scoring habits.

Looking at the big picture, Evans will be one of the faces of the VCU program moving forward. Justin Tillman and Jonathan Williams are graduating after this upcoming season, and the Rams will only have De’Riante Jenkins, Isaac Vann, Samir Doughty and Malik Crowfield as significant returnees in 2018-19. However, none of those four players have proven themselves on a consistent basis at the college level.

Next: Early preseason top 25 for the 2017-18 season

Regardless, VCU has a nice core group of players that will likely keep the Rams in the NCAA Tournament picture two years from now. Add in four-star 2017 recruit Sean Mobley and three-star 2017 talent Marcus Santos-Silva and more potential activity on the transfer market, and VCU should remain ultra competitive in the A10 for years to come. Evans will only keep the tradition going.