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A closer look at the Detroit Pistons’ newest member Keenan Evans

By Travis Gibbs

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Keenan Evans #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dribbles the ball during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Villanova Wildcats at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Keenan Evans
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Keenan Evans #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dribbles the ball during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Villanova Wildcats at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Keenan Evans /
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The Detroit Pistons recently signed Keenan Evans to a two-way contract. Evans had a very successful career at Texas Tech. Will it translate to the NBA?

The Detroit Pistons have added another guard to the roster by the way of a two-way contract. Yesterday they signed undrafted free agent Keenan Evans.

The Pistons acquired two guards (Khyri Thomas & Bruce Brown) in the draft last week. Evans gives them another option to see what potential he might have to contribute at the NBA level.

Since Evans is on a two-way contract, he will likely spend some time with the Pistons’ G-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive. That doesn’t mean he can’t make an immediate impact in Detroit.

College Career

Evans played at Texas Tech University for four years before becoming a Detroit Piston. He was a three year starter at the point guard position for the Red Raiders.

In each of his four seasons, Evans vastly improved his game to where he was the team’s leading scorer. He also was the team’s leader in assists last season.

Evans averaged 17 points per game in his final season with the Red Raiders. One thing that sticks out about him immediately is the amount of free throws he attempted his senior year.

Evans attempted 241 free throws last season and was 81 percent from the line. On the surface, this says right away that Evans plays through a lot of contact.

His 6-3, 190 lb frame allowed him to do this at the collegiate level. Evans also averaged three rebounds and three assists per game during his senior year.

The highlight of Evans’ college career came back in January against Mo Bamba and the Texas Longhorns. He lit up the scoreboard for 38 points and an overtime buzzer-beater to secure a win for his team.

Analysis on Keenan Evans

Evans has trended in the right direction since he stepped foot on campus at Texas Tech. He’s improved as a ball-handler and a scorer.

Evans gets to the line a lot and that can be a double-edged sword. He averaged nearly seven free throws a game. There are going to be nights where calls won’t be consistent in the NBA and he might struggle because of that.

Evans also isn’t particularly quick off the dribble even though gets to the paint quite a bit. This will be another area to watch with his development as he jumps into the NBA.

The NBA’s website has a draft profile on Evans that breaks down his defensive ability:

"Sound defender who played a fairly disciplined style as a cog in one of the top defenses in the country last season.  Lacks a degree of high-end quickness to stay in front of shifty guards consistently, but allowed only 0.600 points per Isolation possession [95th percentile] nonetheless.  Helps hard to the ball.  Size is a plus when forced to switch onto wings."

Again, it comes back to Evans and his quickness on the defensive end of the floor as well. Nonetheless, the Detroit Pistons need a third point guard on their roster and Keenan Evans has the opportunity to be that guy.

Next: Dwane Casey adds two more assistants to his coaching staff

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