MORE THAN A FEELING
returned to Phoenix. Evans was in the company of NBA players like Mike Bibby and Jerryd Bay- less.
Anthony Blakes — a long-time mentor, friend
of the Evans family and playing member of the Harlem Globetrotters — was also part of the equation. "You can pick up so much from those guys,'' Evans said.
So how did he eventually erase the memory of his sophomore slump? "I got in the gym and bonded with my team- mates,'' he said. "I got more of a perspective of what my coaches want me to do and I've taken that and translated it to the game by putting it on the floor.''
Evans has gotten off to a fast start. Going into
the North Carolina game, he was leading the Bad- gers in rebounding, blocked shots, and steals. He was also third in assists. "Just knowing my teammates have confidence
"I got in the gym and bonded with my teammates,'' Evans said. "I got more of a perspec- tive of what my coaches want me to do and I've tak- en that and trans- lated it to the game by putting it on the floor.''
in me,'' said Ev- ans, who had six or more re- bounds in each of the first five games, "I can go out there and play and not worry about anything.''
Gard has no-
ticed changes in Evans. "His knowl-
edge of the game — his feel for the game — has gotten bet-
ter,'' he said. "I don't think he's where he needs to be yet. But, at the same time, he has become more consistent.
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