Perhaps the biggest news of the summer still swirls around whether troubled, yet extremely talented, guard Tyree Evans will join the Flashes for next season. Evans is a game-altering talent who some consider an NBA-level player. For anyone unfamiliar with Evans’ story check out this SI.com story from a few months back

Because of Evans checkered criminal past he has not been able to attend Cincinnati, Kansas State and most recently Maryland this year. Maryland coach Gary Williams expected Evans to make an immediate impact on this year’s team until the dean got a whiff of Evans past that includes dealing drugs and statutory rape. Both were pled down to misdemeanors.

Ever since Evans asked for his release from Maryland there have been rumors connecting him to Kent State. While playing for Motlow Community College in Tennessee last year the six-foot-three Evans scored 21.1 points a game while shooting 44 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Motlow is also the former home of new Kent State assistant coach Bobby Steinburg, Evans’ coach last year, and new Kent State forward Frank Henry-Ala.

Despite not having a scholarship left to offer, the Flashes are in play. Evans is said to have a close-knit relationship with Steinburg and could join Kent State as a walk on. I have been told his past issues would not cause a problem for him to enroll. He is also taking offers from D-1 schools that can offer scholarships.

Either way Evans comes with a lot of question marks. Putting his questionable past aside for a moment, I have to wonder why an alleged “one and done prospect” is still even toying with college when he is 23 years old. Couldn’t he try out for an NBA team or make a decent amount of money in Europe at this point? Playing for a mid-major truly does feel like his last ditch chance to succeed.

This isn’t first player who would come to Kent State with legal trouble. Much beloved players such as Antonio Gates and Josh Cribbs dealt with legal troubles of their own. That doesn't mean bringing Evans in isn't questionable. Tell me what you think in the comments section or shoot me an e-mail at Jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com. I would love to do a mailbag on this topic.

In the mean time Evans is keeping himself busy by doing what he does best: playing basketball. This summer Evans played against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace in the Tri-City Summer League in Virginia. Big Ben’s “Wallace Express” team beat Evans’ DTLR/Cosmopolitan Lounge team last week 129-108 in the championship game. Despite Evans 32 point performance, it was the second year in a row Wallace got the best of the DTLR team.

Q signs in Israel
Last year’s Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Haminn Quaintance, has had a busy off season. After graduation, ‘Q’ signed a two-year contract with the Bnei Hasharon of the Israeli Premier League.

He is also still trying to earn a spot on an NBA roster by playing for the summer league team of the Utah Jazz next to local product Kosta Koufos. Q was in the starting lineup against Iran. He grabbed five rebounds, scored three points and had three steals in just over 14 minutes of action. The Jazz won 82-57.

Scott still without a team

In more surprising news Mike Scott still has not signed on to play with anyone next year. Scott is a player who is highly intelligent both on and off the court and has the type of game that could bring him good money over in Europe if he chooses to go that route.

Former Flash finds new home

Last year’s seven-foot project, Gabe Garcia, has already found a new home not to far away. Garcia has enrolled at Ashland University and will play basketball at the division II school. Isaac Knight, who left the team for academic reasons, is also looking for a new home. No word yet on where he may turn up.

Sherman off crutches

Many fans can breathe a sigh of relief to know that junior guard Rodriquez Sherman is not on crutches after his knee surgery. He is still going through rehab and I am told he walks with a noticeable limp. It is still unclear how ready he will be at the beginning of the season, but one has to think he will not be medically red shirted this season like some rumor mills said.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm and is filed under Basketball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.