In a story first reported by The (Baltimore) Sun yesterday, Terrapin men’s basketball recruit Tyree Evans hasn’t been admitted to the university yet due to an ongoing Office of Student Conduct review of his criminal record.
Evans, 23, signed his letter of intent last month after a checkered past that includes two misdemeanor convictions, two junior college stays and prep school. Yesterday, Athletics Director Debbie Yow said she did not know coach Gary Williams was recruiting the 6-foot-3 shooting guard and said she learned of his criminal convictions after he verbally committed to the Terps.
In a press statement to The Diamondback yesterday, Yow said the coaches bear a “serious responsibility” for the players they recruit.
“[The coaches] are expected to select prospects who are talented athletes and who are capable of earning degrees and being good citizens,” Yow said. “Generally speaking, if a coach learns that a prospect has had any issue that would be considered serious in nature, they cease recruiting the individual.”
According to the Sun story, Evans faced a felony charge last year for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, but he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail but served just a month, with the rest of the time suspended based on good behavior and community service.
Evans also pleaded guilty in 2006 to an assault misdemeanor charge for a statutory rape accusation he faced at The Winchendon School, a Massachusetts prep school, in 2004, according to the Sun.
Evans played for Motlow State Community College in Tennessee last season, where he averaged 21.1 points per game and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from 3-point range. Rivals.com ranks him as a three-star shooting guard.
Despite Evans’s legal issues, Yow said Williams pushed for Evans to be admitted and said Williams will stay closely connected with the troubled recruit.
“Coach Williams’ strong desire was to allow the prospective student-athlete to be considered for admission,” Yow said in the statement. “Coach Williams has clearly indicated his intent to personally mentor Tyree, should he be admitted to Maryland. That commitment is critically important in considering this situation.”
– Compiled by senior staff writer Jeff Amoros from staff reports. jamorosdbk@gmail.com
