Oregon's Kwame Evans Jr. lands inside ESPN's 2025 NBA mock draft
Oregon’s vaunted 2023 signing class is one of the best in recent program history. The Ducks’ four-star trio of Kwame Evans Jr., Mookie Cook, and Jackson Shelstad was the third-best class in the nation according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
While it appears unlikely that any Oregon players will be selected during the 2024 NBA Draft, Evans is beginning to generate buzz ahead of the 2025 Draft.
On Monday, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony released his first 2025 mock draft and projected that the Brooklyn Nets will select Evans in the second round with the 47th overall pick.
In 27 games this season, including 20 starts, the 6-foot-10 Evans is averaging 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds on 43.5% shooting, including 29.3% from three.
He has become a mainstay in Oregon’s starting lineup during the second half of the year, in large part because of injuries throughout the roster. Cook, Nate Bittle, Keeshawn Barthelemy, and Jesse Zarzuela are all currently sidelined and have missed the majority of the season.
The flurry of absences has caused Ducks’ head coach Dana Altman to rely on Evans and Shelstad more than he initially intended to.
“I was planning on bringing those guys along slowly because I knew in this COVID era that, we have to bring freshmen along a little differently than we did before,” Altman said on Feb. 20. “So they got thrown into roles that were a little different than we planned, and I think they’ve handled them okay. … It’s just a different time. It’s hard on freshmen.”
Throughout December and early January, the Ducks were without Bittle and all-conference center N’Faly Dante. That led the Evans frequently operating as Oregon’s de-facto center in a four-guard lineup.
“KJ has been a little up and down,” Altman said when asked to assess the performance of his freshmen. “Part of it is the COVID stuff; they’re playing against such old guys. … Against Washington State, KJ is matched up against (Isaac Jones). He’s in his fifth year. That’s a tough assignment. For him to guard (Keion Brooks Jr.), he’s in his fourth year. These guys are old. It’s really hard for freshmen in this COIVD era to be consistent.”
A former 4-star signee, Evans was the No. 16 overall prospect and the No. power forward in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was a preseason all-conference honorable mention selection.
Oregon (18-9, 10-6 Pac-12) currently sits in third place in the conference standings with four regular-season games remaining. They will look to bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Cal this Wednesday when they host Oregon State at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene.
