DAVE KNACHEL
W
isconsin's Ryan Evans has always relished one-on-one opportunities, whether they've
materialized during the winter
against Victor Olidapo or the
summer against Lauren Evans.
Each matchup poses unique challenges. Indiana's Victor Olidapo is the Defensive Player of the
Year in the Big Ten. Virginia Tech's Lauren Evans is
a freshman starter and Ryan's younger sister.
"She got on the court similar to me with her defense ― her offense is coming along,'' said Ryan,
a fifth-year senior from Phoenix. "I've helped her
along as far as her workouts and training her.
"We talk and text and we definitely stay together
as a family and help motivate each other; we feed
off each other for sure. I know she's very happy out
there. She's really enjoying it.
Lauren Evans, a 6-foot guard, started 28 of 30
games for the Hokies, who finished with a 10-20 record; 4-14 in the ACC. Evans had the second most
steals (35) on the team and a 5.0 points per game
average.
In late November, she played 34 minutes and had
five points and five rebounds in Virginia Tech's 4738 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in Blacksburg, Va.
Coming out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. ― the same basketball program that
turned out her older brother ― she was a 4-star
recruit who picked Va Tech over Xavier and New
Mexico.
"There will be a time each summer when we get
in the gym and I'll give Lauren an opportunity to
play some one-on-one,'' said Ryan, who also has a
younger brother Zackary, a high school junior.
"Lauren is a perimeter player; a point guard, but
she's effective all over the court. As her confidence
"We talk and text and we definitely stay
together as a family and help motivate
each other; we feed off each other for
sure," Ryan said of his sister, Lauren.
30 » VARSITY
MAR CH 21, 2013
