Kyan Evans, a 6‑foot‑2 guard from Kansas City, is preparing to begin his senior year with the Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s basketball team. After stints at Colorado State and the University of North Carolina, Evans brings a blend of shooting precision and playmaking experience to a program eager to rebuild its perimeter threat.
A Fresh Face for the Gophers
High school highlights include being named the 2023 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year and earning three‑time all‑state honors at Staley High School. Those accolades reflected a career that saw him score 441 points and sink 79 three‑pointers in just 72 games for Colorado State, while shooting a crisp 44.6 percent from beyond the arc.
During his sophomore season at Colorado State he averaged 10.6 points and 3.1 assists, and as a junior he appeared in all 33 games, starting 17 of them for the Tar Heels before moving on to Minnesota. His ability to score in double figures on 23 occasions, highlighted by a 23‑point effort in the NCAA first‑round victory over Memphis, underscores his knack for delivering when the stakes are highest.
The decision to join the Gophers was driven by a familiar coaching environment and the chance to reunite with former roommate Jaylen Crocker‑Johnson. Coach Niko Medved, who previously recruited Evans, expressed confidence that the guard’s leadership and shooting would translate well into the Big Ten’s competitive landscape.
Off the court, Evans balances basketball with a love of hibachi and crab, and he often cites the streaming platform 'Power' as a favorite show. He idolizes LeBron James, noting that any team James plays for becomes his own. Should basketball not be his path, he has hinted at a future as a video‑game streamer.
Family ties also anchor his journey; two sisters, their spouses, and six nieces and nephews live nearby, providing a supportive network as he adjusts to life in the Twin Cities. With a focus on bringing shooting, playmaking, and leadership to Minnesota, Evans looks forward to contributing to a team that aims to climb the conference rankings.