Iowa’s basketball program has extended a scholarship to RJ Evans, a 2029 small forward from Tampa, Florida, cementing its place among a handful of schools vying for the highly touted prospect.
A Familiar Connection
Reggie Evans, RJ’s father, starred for the Hawkeyes before embarking on a 13‑year NBA career that included stops with seven different teams. His back‑to‑back seasons at Iowa featured double‑digit rebounds and a place among the school’s all‑time leaders, a pedigree that still resonates in the program’s culture.
Scouts describe Evans as a 6‑foot‑5 athlete who blends size, explosiveness and a defensive mindset with the ability to score from all three levels. Travis Branham of 247Sports notes his confidence and toughness, traits that have made him a standout on the Tampa SLAM circuit and with the adidas 3ssb elite.
A Competitive Race
Alongside Iowa, Evans has received official interest from Florida State, North Carolina State, Providence, Florida Atlantic and Sacramento State. Each program brings a different pitch, from the Seminoles’ recent resurgence to the Wolfpack’s historic pedigree, while Providence offers a coastal academic environment.
Iowa’s coaching staff, led by head coach Ben McCollum, is emphasizing the program’s upward trajectory and the unique opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps. The staff hopes that the combination of familial connection and a promising future will tip the scales in their favor.