Dennis Evans, 7-foot-1, commits to Minnesota basketball
MINNEAPOLIS (BVM) – Pointing out Dennis Evans on a basketball court isn’t a difficult task. Even among tall players, the Hillcrest High School senior typically towers over both teammates and opponents. That’s because the senior center stands at 7-foot-1, a height rarely seen in the NBA, let alone high school basketball.
“I think the funniest is asking me for my birth certificate,” Evans said with a laugh.
Given his rare blend of height and basketball prowess, Evans quickly rose through the ranks in the 2023 recruiting class. The senior had a number of programs pursuing his services including Florida State, Kansas and Texas. However, Evans ultimately decided to go a bit off the grid when he committed to the University of Minnesota on Oct. 18.
“I feel like I will be able to come in, continue to have fun playing basketball and get better,” Evans said of his decision. “Hopefully I bring a better winning culture, come in and contribute, get better and bring something special while I’m there.”
Beyond proud of Dennis Evans! Check out the video to see what college he’s attending next year 🤩
pic.twitter.com/0J2gmOxut9— Coach Wood (@Hillcrest_Bball) October 17, 2022
While the Golden Gophers’ program is rich in basketball history given its longevity, it is not considered one of the best in the nation, especially when compared to the other programs that offered Evans. But with that comes something different, an opportunity to build a legacy and culture for a program that has only seen grand successes on a few occasions.
“As a player they’re getting a premier rim-protector right away right now,” Hillcrest head boys basketball coach Hugh Wood said. “I think he could step out on a college court as a 17-year-old high school senior and protect the basket, block shots and get rebounds. I think he will benefit a lot from a strength and conditioning coach, a nutritionist and a college meal plan. I think he’s really going to take off once he basically gets some full-time attention.”
Evans will be bringing plenty of attention with him once he arrives on Minnesota’s campus, and not just because he may be the tallest person there. The center will come to the Golden Gophers as one of the highest-rated recruits in the program’s history and the highest-ranked out-of-state commit in over 25 years.
“There’s always going to be pressure with it,” Evans said. “But I try not to deal with too much pressure knowing that as long as I play hard, do my best and get better, it’s all going to go smooth.”
A consensus top-100 recruit in the Class of 2023, Evans has certainly shown his talents on the hardwood. As a junior, Evans averaged 11.6 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks while helping the Hillcrest Trojans win a River Valley League Championship with a 16-14 record.
“I feel like we could’ve done better and I could’ve been a little more confident as a player,” Evans said. “Otherwise we did a lot better than most expected us to and we were able to pull off a little winning season before we were knocked off.
“I feel like I did really well on the defensive end this year. I’m going to be improving my offensive awareness. Hopefully I will do better as a scorer and lead better as a teammate.”
Looks like he's playing on 9 foot rim at #Elite24 Practice 💪🏽 7'1 Dennis Evans lII pic.twitter.com/zUsSnISExr
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 11, 2022
The center had a number of standout performances including having more than 10 blocks in five games. Perhaps the best performance of the bunch came in a game against Notre Vista on Jan. 13 when he scored 10 points with 14 rebounds and a whopping 16 blocks, setting a new state single-game record. This was the lone triple-double Evans had on the year, but the second of his career as he also had a 12-point, 19–rebound, 13–block triple-double as a sophomore.
“For me, it was to protect the rim at all costs because they kept driving and kept attacking the rim and I wasn’t too worried about the number of blocks until after they told me I broke the record,” Evans said. “I was really surprised because I never knew where the record stood. I didn’t know I had so many blocks.”
“It’s a blessing obviously,” Wood said. “[His height] does wonders on the defensive end especially. The defense translated right away.”
Dennis Evans – one of the top rim protectors in the country NOW 😳
📸: @DanielHornsby_ pic.twitter.com/Ste0WSXzTE— Coach Wood (@Hillcrest_Bball) July 21, 2022
With his unique set of skills and size, Evans has earned plenty of national attention which has included opportunities with Team USA. In 2021, Evans was invited to the 2021 USA men’s junior national team minicamp before being named one of the 16 finalists for the U16 national team, though he would just miss out on making the roster. This summer, Evans again attended the men’s junior national team minicamp and this time he was selected for the U17 National Team, which ended up winning the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.
“It was a tremendous experience and a really good learning point for me,” Evans said. “I got to learn a different level of basketball. Going out of the country was a tremendous opportunity for me as well. I got to see a little bit of the world.”
“I noticed a great improvement from Dennis from his first minicamp when he didn’t make it and he came back to our practice so much more motivated, so much more vocal and became a better leader so whatever they’re doing with Team USA basketball he definitely learned a lot,” Wood said. “To see him make the team this summer was great. He got a taste of that.”
Gold medalist 🥇 Give him a follow on Instagram: @dje2tall 🤩 pic.twitter.com/sxjnbjVAgQ
— Coach Wood (@Hillcrest_Bball) July 11, 2022
As his senior season approaches, Evans will prepare to show the Minnesota coaching staff and the Golden Gophers faithful what he can do. While Evans is used to having plenty of eyes on him when he enters the room, given his status as a top commit, he should expect even more during his final season with the Trojans.
“I’m a really humble person and I’m dedicated to working as hard as I can to contribute at any level,” Evans said.
