A Real Patriot
George Evans Sets a New Standard for Students and Athletics
By Jeremy
Lasich
When Commencement begins
at 10 a.m. on May 12, one graduate walking down the aisle will be hard to miss--six-foot,
seven-inch basketball player George Evans. The 30-year-old army veteran has accomplished
just as much in his life off the court as he has on it, and that's a lot.
Evans recently led the Patriots
to a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament for
the second time in three years and was named the Colonial Athletic Association
Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, a feat accomplished only
once previously by current NBA superstar David Robinson. In addition, CollegeInsider.com
named Evans a Mid-Major All-American and selected him for the Mid-Major All-Tournament
Team. Evans was also named a finalist for the Chip Hilton Award. As only the fourth
player in NCAA history to record 200 steals, blocks, and assists in a career,
Evans garnered extensive media exposure from the likes of ESPN, NBC's NBA Inside
Stuff, The George Michael Sports Machine, The Sporting News, and USA
Today.
His accomplishments on the
basketball court are reason enough for praise, but Evans's military background
adds to his story. The oldest of three children, Evans went into the army after
high school to help support his mother and brothers. During his eight-year stint,
he did a little bit of everything, including military intelligence and telecommunications,
and was stationed in Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.
When Evans came to George
Mason in 1997, he was just hoping to make a small contribution to the basketball
team in anyway he could. Over the next four years, however, he developed into
one of the most dominant players in the university's history. He ranks first of
all time at George Mason in steals (218) and blocked shots (211), third in points
(1,953) and rebounds (953), and 13th in assists (226).
"I definitely thought I
was going to be a role player," says Evans. "I never in my life thought I would
have the success I've had up to this point. Even more important than all the awards,
though, is earning my teammates' respect. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have
earned all of these honors."
"George has had a tremendous
impact not only on our basketball program, but on the university," says Coach
Jim Larranaga. "He is a wonderful role model for other students and student athletes,
and I think he gives our alumni a great sense of pride in what this university
stands for--excellence, academically and athletically."
With his college career
now over, Evans is looking to the future. Evans was the top overall selection
in the 16th annual U.S. Basketball League draft, being picked by the Maryland
Mustangs. He also is still eligible for the National Basketball Association (NBA)
draft in June, and although many scouts believe he has the talent to succeed at
that level, his age may play a factor in whether he is drafted. He was invited,
however, to participate in April in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which
gives players the chance to show their talents to NBA scouts. Evans may even consider
playing professional ball in Europe.
If he does not play basketball,
Evans says he wants to work in a sports-related field. "My major is in video production,
so I want to work behind the scenes with athletes and get a different angle,"
he says. "I'm looking forward to what lies ahead, and I'm appreciative of the
fact that I have a degree from George Mason University."
