NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 3 key teams after 4-star guard Amari Evans

A key guard to watch in the 2025 NCAA Basketball recruiting class is Amari Evans, a consensus 4-star prospect who 247sports has ranked in the top 100. Originally from Pittsburgh, Evans now plays and excels at Overtime Elite, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors this past season.

Evans recently visited Pittsburgh back at home and is one of the top targets for the team in the 2025 class. But two other programs reportedly are in the mix to land him right now, having received an unofficial visit. Here's a closer look at which roster makes more sense for the four-star shooting guard prospect.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

OK State was one of the first teams after Evans, but that was with a different coaching staff. However, now that they're rebuilding with a new staff and overall roster, maybe new HC Steve Lutz will try to go after Evans again. It's also important to note that the team already has a class of 2025 guard Carlsheon Young so may be looking at other positions to round out the class, especially if the prospect opts to stay closer to home.

Pittsburgh Panthers

When the Panthers were finishing last in the ACC, they couldn't get any top-100 prospects to stick around, even if they were local. However, things have gotten better in the Jeff Capel era, allowing them to land four-star incoming PG and local commit, Brandin Cummings. After seeing the success of freshman guard and NBA Draft Lottery pick Bub Carrington, Evans can be sold as the next lead guard for the program once Damian Dunn and Ishmael Leggett leave after next season.

Tennessee Volunteers

With Evans now in Georgia, it's not a surprise that SEC teams are getting into the mix to land him. Tennessee and Coach Rick Barnes are looking for the new core of guards, since its entire core this upcoming season are all seniors, entering their last season.

With Jordan Gainey, Chaz Lanier, and others leaving, Evans would be able to get minutes as a freshman for the contending program. Plus, his defensive skills would make him a natural fit for the program. If he doesn't end up staying home at Pitt, Tennessee could be the biggest threat to land him.