Bearcat2012
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RE: Jacob Evans at point
Cronin says Cincinnati Bearcats' Evans is NBA-bound: 'It's just a matter of when'
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/...035482001/
ORLANDO - The question concerned University of Cincinnati junior guard Jacob Evans III and his National Basketball Association potential, and UC coach Mick Cronin was ready with a ringing endorsement.
"Oh, he's going to play in the NBA," Cronin said. "It's just a matter of when."
With No. 12-ranked UC (15-2, 4-0 American Athletic Conference) set to play Central Florida (12-5, 3-2 AAC) here Tuesday night, there was a good chance that NBA city Orlando would have some pro scouts watching.
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Evans, UC's top scorer at 13.9 points per game, recently was projected by the Sporting News as a 2018 NBA first-round draftee to the Boston Celtics (No. 27 overall).
Several other forecasts have Evans going in the second round. The Sports Daily and Tankathon.com both see Evans going at No. 31 overall (first pick in the second round) to the Atlanta Hawks. Bleacher Report and NBADraft.net both forecast Evans going No. 53 overall, to the Detroit Pistons.
The big question is whether Evans will declare for the 2018 draft. Evans has not spoken publicly about that, but as a borderline first- or second-rounder, he might be better served by returning for his UC senior year. That certainly is the hope of Cronin and Bearcats fans, but for now, Evans simply is enjoying college ball. This past Saturday, Evans became the 52nd member of UC's 1,000-point club.
"I just focus on getting better each day," Evans said. "You can never look too far ahead."
Evans is considered an NBA prospect for many reasons. With his size, he could play shooting guard or point guard. Recently he has played more at the point.
"He's a winner," Cronin said. "He shoots a high percentage. He's an elite defender. He blocks shots. He guards point-guards. He rebounds. He just does so many things, and he's a coach on the floor. He's such a smart player."
Cronin still wants Evans to be more assertive offensively. While Evans does lead the Bearcats with 10.1 field goal attempts per game, Cronin wants more. But, with five UC players averaging near or above 10 points per game (Evans, Gary Clark, Jarron Cumberland, Kyle Washington and Cane Broome), Evans is among many with a pass-first mentality.
Cronin credit's Evans' mother, former Grambling point guard Theresa Chatman-Evans, for helping push her son to greater things.
"When I recruited him, his Mom and I sat in my backyard and had a little one-on-one," Cronin said. "She's the best. She played, and she knows the game. She said, 'Coach, he needs you. He needs to play harder. He needs more fire. He needs more intensity. He's got all the talent.' "
"As he got comfortable and he got more aggressive, with his size and his ball skill, he was able to be more of a killer and be more intense for longer periods of time," Cronin said. "For us to get where we're trying to go, I need him to take a few more chances, to be honest. The more he attempts to come out of his shell, the better we're going to be in the long run."
DEFERRING TO TEAMMATES: UC senior forwards Clark and Washington do not appear in most online NBA mock drafts, but they also should get looks from the Association. In Evans' case, his humble persona sometimes makes it hard to direct such older teammates.
"Jacob's not about points," Cronin said. "I have to make him about points. Jacob's about winning. I'm still developing his scoring. I still want him to score more at the rim and not just rely on the jump shot."
Evans has warmed to his role as the go-to player. Never was that more evident than when his 19-foot jumper beat Temple 55-53 on Jan. 4, with 0.4 seconds remaining. UC cleared things out to let Evans go one-on-one, and he delivered. On the road. With nearly a dozen NBA scouts watching at courtside.
"Off the court, I'm kind of laid-back, but it's become easier on the court to take that alpha-male role, alpha-dog role," Evans said. "Especially when (Cronin) is constantly on me, every practice. I feel like I'm doing better with it. My teammates are learning to cope with it during the games and at practice. It's been a fun, smooth transition for us."
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