It’s been a particularly productive and fulfilling off-season for NBPA Vice President Maurice Evans.
In addition to serving as one of the Union’s active participants and leaders amidst the continuing lockout, the 6’5” shooting guard can now add “college graduate” to his list of accomplishments.
While it’s been more than a decade since Evans was the big man on the University of Texas campus, he never lost sight of his vision to earn a diploma. A sense of unfinished business that weighed on him since his Longhorns heyday, the 32-year-old decided he had too many reasons not to put off reaching this lingering goal any longer.
“I wanted to be a positive example for my daughter and for the kids I mentor through my Foundation, Mo Mentorship,” said the Wichita native. “Even though I’ve played eight NBA seasons and been successful with basketball, I always wanted to finish what I started…wanted to validate the person that I am. I wanted to meet the challenge of getting a college degree before I finish my NBA career."
With a beaming smile and palpable sense of pride, Evans says that the time, energy and commitment was well worth the result of earning his bachelor’s degree in education.
“At first, when I was told I had over 40 hours to complete, I was very overwhelmed,” said Evans. “But I told myself I wanted to make one final push at this. I go all in when I do something, so instead of stretching the courses out over two years or so, I chose to get it all in by the end of the summer.”
After re-enrolling at UT under the guidance of Randa Ryan, senior associate athletic director for student-athlete services, Evans went “back to school” during the latter part of the 2011 NBA season, when he took on 18 hours of online coursework. He piled on another full load during each summer session, but this time on the UT campus in Austin. Making the two-hour trek from his home in Katy, Texas, Evans traveled to the campus five days a week for his 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. class schedule all summer long.
And he didn’t just slide by, either.
“I was able to get really good grades and take pride in it, online and in class,” he said. “This degree represents potential and pride.”
In addition to making the grade in the classroom, Evans has – and continues to – hone his basketball skills on the hardwood, working out five times a week in preparation of a hopeful NBA season to come.
Evans is also hard at work guiding student-athletes through Mo Mentorship, the vehicle in which the NBA veteran, business entrepreneur, and now college grad, gives back to the community and inspires people to help each other. Operating out of Houston and Atlanta, the non-profit guides college-bound high school basketball players, both academically and athletically, as well as assists their families in understanding the recruitment process.
“Mo Mentorship was created to allow high school athletes to develop a blueprint for success. What we lack isn’t necessarily education or money…its mentors,” he said. “It is amazing how these guys respond when someone takes an interest in them and how they are doing.”
With a renewed confidence and a diploma to boot, Evans may just be in his best shape ever.
Published September 10, 2011 18:17