Gaston College sophomore goes from late bloomer to NCAA Division I recruit

Early in his high school career, Ryan Evans was unable to make either the junior varsity or varsity basketball teams at Charlotte's Myers Park High School.

But after stops at another high school, a prep school and Gaston College, Evans has become a NCAA Division I recruit as he announced his commitment to Georgia State University of the Sun Belt Conference earlier this week.

"The coaching staff and the family culture and winning culture were something I liked," Evans said of committing to the Panthers program whose head coach Jonas Hayes formerly was an assistant coach at Belmont Abbey College. "I went down there and they wanted me and believed in me."

Evans' development started after he transferred to Walnut Grove Christian in Fort Mill, S.C., during the 2022-23 season when he led the team in scoring (25.3 points) and was second in rebounding (6.8).

After spending time at North Florida Prep in Jacksonville, Fla., Evans was recruited to Gaston College two summers ago after Benny Moss had been hired as Rhinos' head coach.

"Gaston was probably the biggest thing in my journey," Evans said. "Coach Moss took a chance on me, and I'm forever grateful to him. It helped me grow as a player and learn how to grow into a college player. Now, going to Division I is the next big step to take for me."

A year ago, Evans averaged 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 30 games (4 starts) for Gaston College. This season, through five starts, he's averaging 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds as the 5-0 Rhinos prepare for Saturday's 2 p.m. home game against nearby rival Cleveland Community College at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School gymnasium.

A 6-foot-6 guard/forward, Evans is also making 44.0 percent of his shots, including 42.9 percent from 3-point range.

"I've kind of been overlooked my whole life," Evans said. "And Georgia State wants me to come in and have a role in helping them win games."