HOUSTON, TX – The Horned Frogs lost several more players to the transfer portal over the course of last season and their most productive player to the NBA Draft. They got some help Wednesday when former Vanderbilt guard Maxwell Evans announced his transfer to TCU.
Evans, a native of Bellaire, TX, starred for Bellaire High School, becoming a three star recruit. The four year started averaged 32.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.2 steals and two blocks as a senior. He matriculated to Nashville, choosing Vanderbilt from among 24 offers, including Houston, Northwestern, and Kansas State.
The 6’2” combo guard made 67 starts across his four year career for the Commodores, averaging six points per game on 40% shooting from the floor. He is just a career 33.4% shooter from behind the arc, but is an athletic, physical player who should help shore up the backcourt alongside burgeoning superstar point guard Mike Miles. He showed the ability to be an explosive scorer at times for the Commodores, but will likely be asked to be a ball handler and defensive stalwart for the Horned Frogs next fall. He had his best season this last season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game, on 45 percent overall shooting and 35.4 percent from 3, while being third on team in assists (43) and steals (24) and fourth in scoring. He scored in double figures 10 times and led team in scoring three times while playing in all 25 games and starting 20.
Evans is taking advantage of the “free” year of eligibility granted to all athletes that participated in sports during the 2020-2021 seasons that were impacted by COVID. He will be immediately eligible to play for TCU Basketball next season, and should compete for minutes with a talented but somewhat young backcourt.
The Horned Frogs went just 12-14 last season, the first losing campaign of Jamie Dixon’s illustrious career. They return 10 players, including Miles, Francisco Farabello — who missed most of the past season — Chuck O’Bannon, and PJ Fuller. RJ Nembhard announced his intentions to declare for the NBA Draft, while Mickey Pearson, Jadeon LeDee, Owen Aschieres, and Dylan Arnette entered the transfer portal. Kevin Samuel is expected to return as the team’s only returning senior.
