University of Tennessee Athletics
@Vol_Hoops Q&A: Lew Evans
August 19, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Lew Evans has nearly gone from coast to coast during his basketball career, one that has brought him to Rocky Top for his final season as a graduate transfer. His 6-8, 238-pound frame adds a much-needed element of size to the Volunteers’ frontcourt, while his basketball experience brings leadership to a team with seven new scholarship players.
Evans started his collegiate career at Casper College in Wyoming, then moved to Tulsa for a sophomore season that ended with a Conference USA title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He spent the last two years at Utah State, where he earned his degree in Business Administration in June.
As imposing as he is in the paint, Evans also has the ability to stretch defenses by knocking down shots along the perimeter.
Tennessee’s fourth all-time incoming graduate transfer, Evans will wear No. 21 when the Vols take the court. Here’s your first chance to get to know Lew Evans:
Coming in as a graduate transfer, how do you use your experiences thus far in your career to mentor the younger players on the roster while also finding your role as a newcomer?
“It’s different. I’ve been all over the place, from Tulsa back to Utah where I’m from and now to Tennessee. I’m happy where I am now, and I’m happy to be a Volunteer. The experience I have from playing three years already, playing in the NCAA Tournament, I’m trying to teach these guys what it takes. You can practice all you want, but once you get into a game it’s a completely different story. I’m trying to show these guys, teach them and get them better so once the games start, they’re ready.”
You bring an element of size to the Volunteers that was in short supply last year. How will that change what UT is able to do on both ends of the court?
“I think it’s going to help this team a lot. They weren’t very big last year. Watching on film, I think it’s going to be an advantage for us this year with the size some of the young guys have. Kyle Alexander keeps getting better, and adding me, we will be better rebounding the ball. Rebounding is important to winning basketball games, so adding my size with the other guys is going to help us in the long run. ”
You got to know Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes this past spring when you were picking a school. What’s it like to be on the court with him now?
“Rick Barnes is one heck of a coach. I have played for a lot of coaches in my career, and he is going to do whatever it takes to get you ready. He’s in the gym all the time, trying to help guys get better. Some of the coaches that I have had show up for practice and leave. Rick Barnes shows his dedication to us as student-athletes, he wants us to get better; he wants our dreams to come true in basketball and off the court.”
Was there a particular moment you knew Tennessee was the place you wanted to be?
“Coach Barnes was very big for me. You see all of the success he’s had, not just getting players to the next level, but winning as well. I wanted to show to myself that I could compete in the SEC at the highest level of college basketball.”
What is your most memorable moment in basketball so far?
“Going to the NCAA Tournament at Tulsa. That experience was awesome. The game before ours was Stephen F. Austin against VCU. When SFA hit a buzzer-beater to go into overtime, that place was rocking. Right after that, we played UCLA in San Diego, so the whole crowd of 10,000 was against us. The whole thing from start to finish was awesome.”
Tennessee is heading to Hawaii in November for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, how excited are you for that trip?
“Ever since I was little, I’ve been watching the Maui Invitational on TV. That tournament is going to be something else. I’ve always wanted to play in something like that… the best preseason tournament in a place that is absolutely beautiful. The competition level is great for us, and that’s something that coach Barnes has done for us. I’m excited to get out there and play and try to win it.”
