Get To Know Maurice Evans
By Nick Adams | November 30, 2007
General Manager Otis Smith was forced at the beginning of the season to find another big man to replace the injured Tony Battie and to help out the thin Magic front line.
In order obtain their needed big body, the Magic would have to send their athletic and talented swingman Trevor Ariza to the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, the Magic got their big man in Brian Cook, and were able to replace Ariza with the multi-talented Maurice Evans. Evans, 6-5 220, is known for his strong defense, athleticism, and shoots a good percentage from three-point range, all qualities which fit perfect in Coach Stan Van Gundy's new system.
The son of George and Cathy Evans, Maurice Eugene Evans was born November 8, 1978, in Wichita, Kansas.
Evans played collegiately at Wichita State University for two seasons before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin.
After not having been selected in the 2001 NBA Draft, he signed as a free agent for the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played in only 10 games before moving to Greece and playing overseas in 2002.
In 2004, he made the roster for the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and became a rotation player. He started 11 of 65 games, and played 19 minutes per game on the season, contributing 6.4 points.
In 2005, he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Pistons, where he was reunited with his former coach and close friend Flip Saunders, and played a rotation role of 14 minutes per game, averaging 5.2 points per game.
He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he spent the entire 2006-2007 season and part of this season before coming to Orlando on November 20th.
Evans has averaged 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 17.8 minutes throughout his journeyed NBA career.
Evans is glad to be in Orlando and Orlandomagic.com was able to catch up with Maurice after his first Magic shootaround last Friday.
Orlandomagic.com: What are your feelings being traded to here in Orlando?
Evans: I am excited for the opportunity to play on a nightly basis and I think I have for the first time in my career came into a situation where the team has wanted me, so I am very excited to be here in Orlando and it feels good to come to a team where we have a chance to do something special.
Orlandomagic.com: What do you think you can bring to this Magic team?
Evans: After talking to coach Van Gundy we both agreed that I could bring toughness to both ends of the floor.
Orlandomagic.com: What is going to be the toughest part about this transition?
Evans: It is going to be tough to get to learn everything. They have a great chemistry here already and Brian and I are lucky that they traded us in November so we have basically a whole season with the team. Not to mention going from LA to anywhere is going to be different.
Orlandomagic.com: What were you doing when you found out about the trade?
Evans: The trade was very unexpected and I was on the way to get onto the bus when they said Phil wanted to see me about an emergency. Here I was worried it had something to do with my family, but Phil just told me that I was being traded and they thanked me for everything.
Orlandomagic.com: You have played in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, what is the major difference?
Evans: In the Western Conference it is really tough because there are so many good teams but in the Eastern Conference if you have a good team, I think you really have a chance to advance to the Finals.
Evans and the Magic seem to have that chance as they lead their division and the entire NBA in victories.
General Manager Otis Smith was forced at the beginning of the season to find another big man to replace the injured Tony Battie and to help out the thin Magic front line.
In order obtain their needed big body, the Magic would have to send their athletic and talented swingman Trevor Ariza to the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, the Magic got their big man in Brian Cook, and were able to replace Ariza with the multi-talented Maurice Evans. Evans, 6-5 220, is known for his strong defense, athleticism, and shoots a good percentage from three-point range, all qualities which fit perfect in Coach Stan Van Gundy's new system.
The son of George and Cathy Evans, Maurice Eugene Evans was born November 8, 1978, in Wichita, Kansas.
Evans played collegiately at Wichita State University for two seasons before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin.
After not having been selected in the 2001 NBA Draft, he signed as a free agent for the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played in only 10 games before moving to Greece and playing overseas in 2002.
In 2004, he made the roster for the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and became a rotation player. He started 11 of 65 games, and played 19 minutes per game on the season, contributing 6.4 points.
In 2005, he was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Pistons, where he was reunited with his former coach and close friend Flip Saunders, and played a rotation role of 14 minutes per game, averaging 5.2 points per game.
He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he spent the entire 2006-2007 season and part of this season before coming to Orlando on November 20th.
Evans has averaged 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 17.8 minutes throughout his journeyed NBA career.
Evans is glad to be in Orlando and Orlandomagic.com was able to catch up with Maurice after his first Magic shootaround last Friday.
Orlandomagic.com: What are your feelings being traded to here in Orlando?
Evans: I am excited for the opportunity to play on a nightly basis and I think I have for the first time in my career came into a situation where the team has wanted me, so I am very excited to be here in Orlando and it feels good to come to a team where we have a chance to do something special.
Orlandomagic.com: What do you think you can bring to this Magic team?
Evans: After talking to coach Van Gundy we both agreed that I could bring toughness to both ends of the floor.
Orlandomagic.com: What is going to be the toughest part about this transition?
Evans: It is going to be tough to get to learn everything. They have a great chemistry here already and Brian and I are lucky that they traded us in November so we have basically a whole season with the team. Not to mention going from LA to anywhere is going to be different.
Orlandomagic.com: What were you doing when you found out about the trade?
Evans: The trade was very unexpected and I was on the way to get onto the bus when they said Phil wanted to see me about an emergency. Here I was worried it had something to do with my family, but Phil just told me that I was being traded and they thanked me for everything.
Orlandomagic.com: You have played in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, what is the major difference?
Evans: In the Western Conference it is really tough because there are so many good teams but in the Eastern Conference if you have a good team, I think you really have a chance to advance to the Finals.
Evans and the Magic seem to have that chance as they lead their division and the entire NBA in victories.
