GREENVILLE — Weeks ago, Lekendrick Evans watched as his right-hand man on the basketball court at O’Bannon High, Cadarrius Nelson, did interviews and posed for the camera after signing with Mississippi Delta Community College.
This time around, however, the spotlight was on Evans.
On Thursday, the 6-foot-5 highly touted forward inked with a team that will put him against Nelson in the upcoming season: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
“If I (had to) rank this (accomplishment), it’s probably the most important day of my life,” said Evans, who put up 22 points, nine rebounds and blocks per game during his senior campaign.
“Most people aren’t able to sign a (scholarship) to play basketball. For me to be able to do that, it’s real important,” he continued.
Evans was the key ingredient for a successful OBHS basketball team, which won 19 games in 2009-10, the most in recent years. He’s also one of the three OBHS seniors who will be playing college ball — Nelson signed with MDCC and guard Quadriguez Carter will join him in Moorhead during the 2011-12 season.
Evans racked up a plethora of awards during his prep career. He was named to the first-team All-DDT squad, Honorable Mention All-State by the Jackson Clarion Ledger, and first team all-district and O’Bannon MVP in both his junior and senior year.
Evans should adjust quickly at MGCCC, said OBHS coach George Christian.
“(Evans) has outstanding leaping ability. He probably jumps better than any player I’ve ever coached,” said Christian, who is losing eight players, including the entire starting five from last season. “His upside is out of the world,” George continued. “If he continues to work hard, the sky is the limit for him.”
Evans, who said he hopes to play for Georgia Tech once he’s done at MGCCC, said the distance from home won’t be a problem.
“I had the opportunity to be close, but I really wanted to get away.....Maybe I’ll learn the highway,” he said.
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