Evans predicts he’ll be part of something ‘legendary’
OAKLAND >> He came, he saw, he admired.
Jacob Evans III stood outside of the hotel lobby and instantly witnessed what has become one of the Warriors’ yearly traditions. In three of the past four years, the Warriors have hosted championship parades. So when Evans saw part of the parade outside a downtown hotel last week, he naturally thought about his upcoming pre-draft workout with Golden State.
“I stepped out and saw how much joy and excitement it brought to this city,” Evans said. “Those things you cherish forever for the rest of your life and tell your kids and grandkids about.”
Evans, 21, will likely tell his future children and grandchildren about another moment, too. He called it a “blessing” the Warriors selected him No. 28 overall in the 2018 NBA draft after he starred for three seasons at the University of Cincinnati. Warriors general manager Bob Myers contended the team’s front office had Evans “ranked higher than the 28th pick” because of his positional versatility, defensive intensity, improved outside shooting and strong decision making.
When the Warriors introduced Evans on Monday at the team’s practice facility, Evans pondered on how that parade celebration might serve as a sneak preview for his NBA career.
“I want to win a championship before I retire,” said Evans, who will sport No. 10 after former forward David Lee (2010-15) once wore it. “I know I’ll be able to be a part of something that’s legendary.”
The Warriors’ title hopes largely hinge on a healthy and effective Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Evans serves as an important factor too, though, with defensive hustle and possibly a few shots to relieve pressure off the top-heavy roster.
“Being placed in a situation that allows you to grow is positive, as opposed to being somewhere that’s detrimental,” Myers said. “It can derail a career. We’ve seen it many times. Obviously it’s up to Jacob to see what kind of career he wants to have. But our job as an organization, players and coaches and front office is to put him in a position to succeed.”
The Warriors have done that in numerous ways since selecting him last Thursday.
Green, who sat in the draft room with the front office, spoke with Evans on the phone and said “expect to come in and work hard.” Durant texted Evans to congratulate him, prompting Evans to text back that “I’m getting ready to work.” Warriors third-year center Damian Jones, who grew up in Evans’ hometown in Baton Rouge, La., texted Evans before and after the draft to “make sure I don’t take the day for granted.”
“When you’re surrounded by people that are high achieving and hard working, you can’t help but get caught up in that momentum. Jacob will see Kevin Durant working out at that basket and Steph Curry over there and Klay Thompson over there,” Myers said as he looked at the team’s practice court. “He’s not going to walk back and take a shower when guys that are a lot better than him are still working.”
Evans appears to be a player who likes to work.
He added lean muscle and shredded his body fat percentage in the past two years with increased weight training, while also avoiding sugary drinks and fried food and eating more fruits and vegetables. He grew up studying film of former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as well as teammates Durant, Curry and Thompson. He credited his family and coaches for stressing the value of a high work ethic and strong fundamentals.
“If you’re smartest person on the court, then you’re the most dangerous person,” Evans said. “You have to use your brain over using your physical abilities.”
Evans plans to rely on those skills to carve a niche. He plans to lean on his star teammates to strengthen those skills.
After impressing the Warriors with his defensive versatility and intensity, Evans smiled when sharing that Green told him “he’s going to be on my butt from Day 1.”
“His love for the game is crazy. It’s amazing,” he said of Green. “He’s the one that does a lot of little things to help his team win. I pride myself on doing every little small thing to help whatever team I played for in the past to win.”
After showing varying progress with his 3-point shooting as a freshman (33.3), sophomore (41.8) and junior (37.0), Evans pledged to keep the same mindset with his offense. He does not plan to take shots at his star teammates’ expense. The Warriors do not want him to overly defer, though.
“I’m pretty sure I can learn a thing or two from them to help me shoot the ball better or as well as them,” Evans said. “I’ll try to pick their brains every day, whether it’s on the court or off the court, and see how they carry themselves with multiple NBA championships. I’ll just try to help myself develop.”
How well will Evans develop? The Warriors will receive some clarity when he begins summer league play in Sacramento (July 2-5) and Las Vegas (July 6-17) with Jones and second-year forward Jordan Bell.
“I want to show everyone what I can do,” Evans said. “It’s basketball. You can’t be nervous. I’ve been doing this since I was a little kid. You have to go out there and give it your all.”
And if he does, perhaps Evans will witness another Warriors championship parade. This time, Evans would be on the team’s bus instead of watching from afar.