Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans, basketball star, Chester native, American Christian graduate and this year’s national freshman of the year out of the University of Memphis, had told reporters he was headed to the NBA lottery once he heard his coach, John Calipari, had taken the vacant head coaching job at the University of Kentucky.

Just an hour after Calipari informed the team that he was leaving for Kentucky, Evans said his career is over and he will leave early for the NBA.

“If he’s leaving, I’m not staying,” Evans told FOXSports.com. “Coach leaving did it for me.”

Evans averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game and was the key for the Tigers turnaround this year after he was moved to the point guard spot.

According to sources, Evans was leaning towards leaving anyway, but Calipari’s decision to go to Kentucky sealed the deal.

At least that is what we thought.

Even more recently, there are new reports centered around comments from family  and friends that Evans may change his mind and return to the Tigers for his sophomore season.

Evans’ friend and mentor, NBA superstar Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers – in town last week to play the 76ers – was asked by Footballstories.com if he had any advise for his younger friend.

“He should go to Kentucky!” James said eliciting laughter from anyone with earshot of the answer. “He signed at Memphis because of Coach Cal. The NCAA should let him transfer and not have to sit out.”

While that scenario is highly unlikely, James believed whatever Evans decided, the 6-foot-5 point guard would be successful. 

“He’s a very, very, very, very good player,” James said. “And if he decides to come out to The League he’ll be a lottery pick. He’s talented…really talented. I got a chance to have him in my basketball camp a few years ago when he was in high school.

“He’s going to be a great player,” James continued. “He’s really talented now and as he continues to grow and his body continues to form to man he’s going to be really good.”

James was asked if he thought Evans would benefit from another year of college ball. This year is a deep draft and some observers believe Evans might drift to the middle of the first round.

“I think he could, I really think he could,” James said, carefully choosing his words. “But he could develop in the NBA also. Who am I to say to stay in college. I’m not a guy who went to college. I want guys to come to The League and develop. So I’m all for whatever Tyreke does…if he decides to stay, or if he decides to come out…I am all for him, I’ll be in good support of him.”

Al Thompson can be reached at al.thompson@footballstories.com.