An Honor Fit For A King

May 21, 2010

Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans captured the 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year Award

By: Talia Bargil
For NBPA.com

Tyreke Evans is the real deal…and now he’s got the NBA Rookie of the Year trophy to prove it.

Joining the elite company of Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James in the stats books as the fourth rookie ever to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game, the Sacramento Kings #13 guard has revived Arco Arena and breathed new life into the organization.

Even after yet another disappointing season for the Kings, Evans, who has been compared to seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady since his early teens, has given the fans something to cheer about.

“This award is a huge honor, but now I am focused on winning more games, making the playoffs and getting that NBA Championship ring,” said the 20-year-old up and comer. “Our future is very bright.”

The Kings wrapped up another season with no playoffs, 57 losses and undoubtedly, an appearance in the Draft Lottery. But things aren’t half as bad as they sound, especially when an impending powerhouse is at the helm of their roster.

Evans, who grew up outside of Philadelphia in Chester, is somewhat use to the attention, having won hundreds of awards throughout his high school and college – albeit brief – basketball experience. But his rookie season sprung him into a limelight so bright that even Sacramento Mayor and 12-year NBA veteran Kevin Johnson held a press conference to officially endorse Evans for Rookie of the Year.

Despite just one nationally televised Kings game this year, current and former NBA players paid close attention to Evans and followed his progress throughout the season.

New Orleans Hornet Emeka Okafor, who captured 2005 Rookie of the Year honors during his first NBA year, says Evans’s award was well deserved.

“Tyreke had a solid rookie season, and his upside is crazy,” said Okafor. “He averaged 20 points without even having a real feel for the NBA game yet…and he’s just getting started. Wow.”

And while Evans’s peers Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry also were gunning for the prestigious title, there was no way Kings fans were about to allow the kid responsible for the team’s resurgence take a backseat.

The Kings organization, fully supported by its Northern California fans, launched “Rally for RekeROY,” a campaign promoting their star player. During a March home game, the Kings showed video of Evans, distributed T-shirts and pushed it over the edge with 5,000 cutouts of his face held up by fans during his zealous introduction.

Touted for his season long consistent play, and highlighted by his participation during the All-Star Game, wherein he scored 26 points and took MVP of the Rookie Challenge, Evans stood out among an impressive Draft class.

“The 2009 NBA Draft put out a class of point guards for the future, but Tyreke has been the best of the best from the start to the finish,” said NBA veteran Mitch Richmond, recipient of the 1989 NBA Rookie of the Year trophy. “His size, strength and ability to get to the basket make him a very tough guard to handle.”

Just like his 2009 Rookie of the Year predecessor Chicago Bull Derrick Rose, Evans continues to back up his declaration that he’d thrive in the big leagues, despite completing just one year at the University of Memphis.

“I’m glad I experienced college, but I was confident I was ready for the NBA,” said Evans, who stands at 6’6” and 220 pounds. “My plan was to come in and play hard and consistent basketball.”

But he didn’t do it alone. Evans says he also has teammate Francisco Garcia to thank.

“Francisco showed me what the NBA is all about, and it was really great to have that support and help from him.”

Sounds like Evans’s season went according to plan, but there’s much more in store for this young gun. He said he’s taking some time off to rest his body, and before off-season training commences in Santa Monica, Calif., come June, is heading to the Dominican Republic for some fun in the sun.

“I know what I need to work on to get ready,” he said. “I’ll be in the gym this summer, pushing myself hard…working on my three-point range, my pull-up, watching film and learning more to make my game complete. It motivates me to see how far my game can go.”

Adding to the whirlwind of attention and accolades, USA Basketball announced the addition of Evans to its 2010-12 Men’s National Team roster in early May. No stranger to the program, he gained USA Basketball experience as a member of the USA Junior Select Team that defeated a World Select Team in the 2008 Nike Hoop Summit, as well as participated in the 2007 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival.

“The national team…this is big, a dream come true,” he said.

There’s no doubt – this is one king whose reign has just begun.