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Cincinnati Basketball: Impact of losing Jacob Evans to the NBA Draft

By Brad Cavallaro

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats shoots a free throw during the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against the Houston Cougars at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats shoots a free throw during the final game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship against the Houston Cougars at Amway Center on March 11, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati lost its best player as Jacob Evans has announced his intentions to stay in the NBA Draft. Which Bearcat player fills this massive void?

The Cincinnati Bearcats received unfortunate, but expected, news when Jacob Evans announced that he will remain in the NBA Draft. Evans was the team’s best player and averaged 13.0ppg, 4.7rpg, and 3.1apg as a junior.

He will probably be selected in the late first round as wing prospects are in high demand. Multiple teams in that draft range like Minnesota and Indiana could use a three and D wing to bolster their second unit so he is an obvious fit.

Evans shot 37% from three-point range with 60 makes and is an excellent wing defender. Cincinnati is known for producing tough defenders and Evans is no exception. He has good size for a wing (6’6”) which will allow him to play multiple positions.

Evans fits the three and D mold perfectly, but he has also shown ability as an offensive creator.  He was often relied upon to create his own shot and his 3.1apg prove that he is also capable of creating shots for his teammates. This is a skill that makes him even more appealing in the eyes of NBA general managers.

He helped lead Cincinnati to an AAC regular season and tournament championship in his final collegiate season. The Bearcats were upset by Nevada in the Round of 32, but that does not erase the amazing and memorable regular season.

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However, the 2018-2019 version of the Bearcats will look entirely different. Three of their top four scorers are gone and the returning players will need to play much bigger roles. The biggest role to fill is the go-to offensive threat which was previously occupied by Evans.

Jarron Cumberland had a promising sophomore season and is the favorite to fill that void. Cumberland is not a very efficient player, but he is extremely talented and averaged 11.5 ppg as a sophomore wing last season.

However, Cumberland was already in the starting five so Mick Cronin will have to turn to one of these four players to help compensate for Evans’ departure.

Who Replaces Jacob Evans?

Last season, Cincinnati had two freshmen wings who were consistent reserves and both should have a chance to move into a more prominent role.

Keith Williams is a 6’5” athletic slasher who struggles with his jump shot. He only shot a paltry 4 for 27 from long-range, but he fits the tough Cincinnati persona. Williams will definitely see more minutes (9.8mpg in 17-18), but without a reliable jump shot his breakout potential is limited.

The other rising sophomore wing is Trevor Moore who is not as physical as Williams but is a much better shooter. Like most freshman, Moore was a below average three-point shooter at 32%. His shooting percentages should increase as he continues to adjust to the college game and his minutes should increase as well.

The most intriguing option is JUCO transfer Rashawn Fredericks. Fredericks is a 6’6” versatile wing who was a first-team JUCO All-American this season. He was an aggressive rebounder and a capable three-point shooter at the junior college level, so hopefully, both of these attributes translate to the AAC.

Cincinnati could also opt to utilize a small lineup and play Cane Broome at the two and Cumberland at the three. Broome split the PG position with Justin Jenifer last season, but he is more of a scoring guard than a ffull-timelead guard.

He averaged 7.9ppg last season and 23.1ppg as a sophomore at Sacred Heart. Broome would give Cincinnati the most offensive firepower out of the four options, but a Jenifer-Broome backcourt might be too small and too much of a defensive concern to even attempt.

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If I had to make an early prediction on Evans’ replacement, I would go with Rashawn Fredericks. He brings experience, proven production, and offensive versatility that his three competitors on the wing cannot match. The Bearcats will undoubtedly take a step back, but the play of the inexperienced returners (and Fredericks) will ultimately define Cincinnati’s season.

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