THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 1, 1995 TAG: 9507010617
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Michael Evans had 15 seconds of fame Wednesday night, when NBA analyst and former coach Hubie Brown mentioned his name during TNT's coverage of the NBA draft.
Not quite the same as being drafted, but for Evans' agent, Andre Colona, it's an indication of how far the former Booker T. Washington star has come since declaring for the NBA draft a month ago.
``Coming from where he has, it was very nice to hear that,'' Colona said.
Even nicer for Evans and Colona are the three free agent camp invitations Evans has received since draft day, from Philadelphia, Phoenix and Golden State, Colona says.
Realizing that his client was a long shot to be drafted, Colona's goal has been to get Evans into a free agent camp or two. In that, he appears to have succeeded.
Evans worked out for 76er brass before the draft last week, spending three days going against NBA players like Lionel Simmons, Richard Dumas and Eddie Jones.
``I think he did a good job of distributing the basketball,'' said Gene Shue, Philadelphia's director of player personnel. ``On the third day, we asked him to show what he could do offensively, and he was OK offensively.
``He's probably a bit rusty from not playing against the competition, but it was an interesting experience.''
Philadelphia's camp opens July 6. Phoenix and Golden State begin on July 10.
``He can probably slide into two,'' Colona said. ``If he goes to Philly, we'll try to get him into the summer league in New York.''
Just a month ago, Evans - who played just one year of junior college basketball - was a virtual unknown in NBA circles. He played at the league's pre-draft camp in Chicago, and although he didn't distinguish himself, he apparently did enough to warrant a second look from a handful of teams.
``We wanted to take a further look because we knew his history,'' Shue said. ``He's one of those players that has some potential.''
The odds of Evans making an NBA team are still long, but Colona says he's relieved his client is at least getting a further look.
``I was nervous a lot of guys were going to hold the fact that he hadn't played in two years against him,'' Colona said. ``I'm not worried about Mike anymore.
``Even if he doesn't make the NBA, he has a couple of offers overseas, and the CBA is always a possibility.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Michael Evans
by CNB