Kwame Evans Jr., nation's No. 2 basketball prospect, commits to Oregon Ducks

Happy birthday Kwame Evans Jr., you're an Oregon Duck.

On Tuesday, the Montverde Academy superstar, rated the nation's No. 2 overall prospect, announced his commitment to Oregon over Arizona, Auburn and Kentucky.

According to 247Sports, Evans is the No. 2 highest-rated commit in program history, behind Bol Bol (2018), but ahead of Malik Hairston (2004), Kel'el Ware (2022), Troy Brown Jr. (2017) and N'Faly Dante (2019).

The 6-foot-10, 200-pound playmaker put an end to one of the nation's most mysterious commitments, and is headed to the program he reportedly favored this spring.

Earlier this year, Evans was viewed as an Oregon lean, but that sentiment reportedly shifted in favor of Arizona as the months wore on.

Only recently - within the past week or so - has the buzz been growing that the Ducks had, indeed, won the recruiting battle.

But Oregon has been in the mix for a long time - and relentless in its pursuit. 

Evans reportedly enjoyed his spring official visit to Eugene.

"The visit went really well," he said. "The coaching staff is really nice and I saw everything. It was very nice. On the visit they showed me their top notch facilities with Nike right there. The food spots there is good and its just a lot good things over there. It's a small town with not a lot of people but when you lock in you can do what you want to do.”

More recently, an Oregon coach was on hand at each of his Peach Jam games. 

That tireless pursuit paid off. 

Evans projects as a potential superstar if it all comes together - both in college and the NBA. 

>>> How Kwame Evans Jr. is rated by each of the 4 major recruiting services

Here's what On3 had to say in its scouting report on Evans:

"It’s the length with Evans, his arms seemingly go forever and he continues to grow. There is so much there with his game, it is understandable how he can still be putting it all together. Evans has ball skills to re-initiate offense or grab and go off the rebounds. He has excellent vision, as teams are able to play through him from a stationary position in the half-court. Evans is a reliable spot shooter when his feet are set. While he is athletic, there is not a lot of pop in his game, but his enormous wing-span makes up for a lot of that. He is great in the passing lanes and has excellent timing as a shot-blocker. He will need to continue adding strength, but that will come as he is still young. The upside is huge and the light is coming on." 

247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein had similar thoughts:

 "A long and fluid 6-foot-9 lefty who covers the court effortlessly with long and graceful strides, Evans has the physical tools that are in high demand at the highest levels. He owns extreme potential versatility on the defensive end of the floor, although he tends to be better moving laterally in open space right now than he is in the quarter court. What he’s not, is a primary playmaker on the offensive end. He can grab and go when taking the ball off the defensive glass and is certainly a threat in transition. He has made strides as a spot-up shooter, can also get buckets flashing into the post off various types of screening action, and has a very good right hand, but he’s not the guy a team is going to build their half-court offense around." 

So, what's next for Oregon?

The Ducks have Evans and West Linn High School (Oregon) floor general Jackson Shelstad, a top-10 point guard nationally, in their 2023 recruiting class. 

Oregon's next target is five-star small forward Mookie Cook, the nation's No. 4 overall prospect.

Cook, who transferred from in-state Jefferson High School to AZ Compress Prep (Arizona) last year, was committed to Oregon before re-opening his recruitment.

While the 6-foot-7, 200-pound wing has been tight-lipped since de-committing, a source close to his recruitment said "Evans to Oregon" could tip things back in Dana Alman's favor.

The Ducks should be considered the favorites to land him.

With Evans, Cook and Shelstad, Oregon's class would be rated No. 3 in the country, behind only Duke and Kentucky. 

Kwame Evans highlights