RayQuan Evans wasted little time making his college decision.
The former Billings Skyview High School standout verbally committed Sunday to continue his college basketball career at Florida State. Evans, who also had interest from Washington State and Gonzaga, among others, began a visit with the Seminoles on Saturday.
“I’m just very thankful for it,” Evans said of the opportunity to play major Division I college basketball. “I think Montana kind of gets overlooked for its talent, and there is talent there. It’s just some people need a little bit more to get there. I feel like Tres (Tinkle) and Kendal (Manuel) and me and other players that went on to do things, we’re kind of setting examples. … I’m thankful. I’m thankful for it.”
Tres Tinkle, who was a Montana two-time Gatorade player of the year at Missoula Hellgate, and Kendal Manuel, a former Billings Skyview star, both played collegiately at Oregon State in the Pac-12. Tinkle has entered the 2019 NBA Draft after a standout redshirt junior season for the Beavers, and Manuel is coming off a solid season with the Montana Grizzlies after transferring last offseason.
Evans announced his commitment to Florida State with a Twitter post Sunday evening.
I want to start by thanking my Family, Coaching Staff, Teammates and God for making all of this possible. Playing Division 1 has been a dream of mine since I was little. After giving some time I have decided to further my academic and athletic career at Florida State University‼️ pic.twitter.com/CFroXeI8fq
— Kodak Evans (@rayray_evans1) April 15, 2019
Evans is completing his sophomore year at North Idaho College after a stellar two-year career. Evans has been a star at NIC, recording 32 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 104-73 win over Walla Walla Community College in helping the Cardinals (31-2) to their second consecutive Northwest Athletic Conference championship. He was named the league’s men’s basketball athlete of the year.
Evans began his career playing at Skyview and blossomed in his junior season, averaging 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as Skyview won its second straight Class AA state championship. He averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a senior, helping lead the Falcons to a third-place finish.
Out of high school, Evans originally committed to play at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. He had an opportunity at the University of Montana, as well, but was a non-academic qualifier. After exploding onto the national scene at NIC, Evans committed to play at Utah State. He de-committed from the Aggies and started to field offers from all over the country.
Evans narrowed his list, ultimately choosing to play for Florida State in the Atlanta Coast Conference (ACC). FSU went 29-8 this past season, losing to Duke in the ACC Tournament championship. The Seminoles were a No. 4 seed for the NCAA Tournament, eventually losing to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.
“Success definitely matters. To me, success in a program shows that they’re buckled down and they’re serious about what they do every day, and I feel like that’s what I need and that’s what I would like to help,” Evans said. “I would just want to help continue to be successful.”
The NCAA national letter of intent signing period begins April 17. As a junior college transfer, Evans will be eligible to play immediately.
