The North Carolina Tar Heels overhauled their basketball roster this offseason, replacing four starters from their 2024-2025 campaign. UNC snuck into the NCAA Tournament, thanks to a late-season run, but watched its magic run out against Ole Miss.
One of those four positions North Carolina will carry a new starter at is point guard, thanks to Elliot Cadeau’s departure. In hopes of replacing Cadeau, though, Hubert Davis snagged Colorado State guard Kyan Evans in the transfer portal.
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Evans is a player with postseason experience himself, helping CSU make consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025, beating Virginia last year and Memphis in March. Evans transitioned from a rarely-used bench player in his freshman season, to a 36-game starter with solid production last year.
Colorado State plays in the Mountain West, one of college basketball’s more underrated conference, which sends plenty of teams to the Big Dance each season. The Tar Heels are hoping to re-become a consistent threat in postseason play, with a 2024 Sweet 16 appearance their deepest run since 2022’s National Championship game appearance.
UNC has another deep backcourt rotation this coming season, featuring Evans, Seth Trimble, Derek Dixon, Isaiah Denis, Jonathan Powell and Jaydon Young. Hubert will surely experiment with starters and bench players, but Evans should see starting minutes throughout his first year in Chapel Hill?
What type of player is Evans? Will he contribute right away, or be worked into the rotation? Who will Evans play alongside? Keep reading below, as we dive into Evans’ player preview.
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Kyan Evans Bio
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Kyan Evans (0) attempts to drive the ball past Memphis Tigers guard Baraka Okojie (6) at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 175 pounds
Number: 0
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
High School: Staley
Social media: Instagram
2024-2025 review
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Kyan Evans (0) reacts against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Evans thrived in his first season as Colorado State’s starting point guard, starting all 36 games and anchoring his team’s run to a Mountain West Tournament Championship. The Rams advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, upsetting Memphis before falling to Maryland.
Evans averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game during his sophomore campaign at CSU. Tar Heel fans will enjoy Evans’ efficiency as a shooter: 47.1 percent from the field, 44.6% from deep and 85.2% from the free throw line.
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Projected role for 2025-2026
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Rodney Rice (1) reacts as forward Julian Reese (10) battles for the ball against Colorado State Rams guard Kyan Evans (0) in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Evans will be North Carolina’s starting point guard this coming season. UNC has plenty of backcourt options, but Evans is the only true point guard.
The Tar Heels may also elect to to give combo guards Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis point duties, but they are freshmen. Evans is a junior PG with plenty of collegiate experience.
Kyan Evans Scouting Report
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Kyan Evans (0) drives the ball past Memphis Tigers guard PJ Haggerty (4) during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The scouting report for Kyan Evans, via Sherrell McMillan of InsideCarolina:
“North Carolina has been looking for help on the perimeter for some time. Backcourt and scoring help was something that they vitally needed. They had a lot of irons in the fire over the last couple of weeks. There were a lot of guys they were talking to who they were interested in. They started circling Evans earlier this week as someone who showed mutual interest. The way the point guard market has gone, UNC needed to secure a guy very soon. As the number of players decreases, the value and leverage they have over the schools increases. It was all those factors combined, and that’s how Evans ended up at UNC. He is one of the most lethal shooters in the country. This was a much-needed win for UNC and much-needed help on the perimeter.”
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Kyan Evans bold prediction
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Kyan Evans (0) shoots a three pointer during the first half against Memphis Tigers at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Evans will lead the ACC in 3-point percentage. During his two seasons at Colorado State, Evans proved himself as a lethal perimeter shooter, averaging a 42.7% mark from deep.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Kyan Evans season preview
