Is 7-1 Dennis Evans the most interesting player in high school basketball?

Dennis Evans is the 2023 On3 Consensus No. 29 player. Unranked a year ago, the rising senior from Riverside (CA) Hillcrest High made the u17 USA basketball roster.

“My offensive abilities have improved a lot,” Evans told On3. “I’m starting to stretch the floor a bit better, and I’m starting to feel more confident in what I do. I can play inside and out; my post moves are improving. I watch a lot of Joel Embiid, how he defends and scores the ball.”

Recruiting has moved quickly for the 7-foot-1 center. On3 sat down with Dennis Evans at the u17 USA basketball training camp to discuss his recruitment.

“I have not taken any visits yet,” Evans said. “I am looking to visit Minnesota and TCU for sure. Maybe one more that I’m not sure of yet. I’m not too sure when I will take these visits, maybe toward the end of summer or by school ball.”

Evans talks recruitment

Minnesota: “They are one of the first few schools to talk to me, and they’ve stayed in contact. Their program is still young, with this being Coach (Ben) Johnson’s second year there. They run a very good program that looks like I’ll be able to fit right into. I think it will be easy to stay focused in that area.”

TCU: “They have a good culture there. Coach (Jamie) Dixon has shown he can develop players to help get them to the next level. I feel like I will be able to grow there. They seem to be putting together a team to make a deep run.

“Kansas and Missouri have both been in contact, some others too, Evans said. “I want to commit by my senior year.”

Evans take

“I started playing basketball in the middle of my seventh-grade year,” Evans said. “My cousin, Travell Washington, played basketball at Illinois-Chicago.

“I’m going to be looking for a coach that will push me to be the best player I can,” Evans said. “I want to go to a place that will develop me and allow me to showcase what we are working on.”

On3’s take

Dennis Evans is a lengthy post prospect whose calling card is his defensive presence. A high-level rim protector, he can change the complexion of a game. Evans is very skinny and does not move well, right now, laterally. Offensively, there are question marks about what he does or can do. While inconsistent, the lefty does have touch, with range off the catch that extends beyond the three-point arc.