Quick Facts
- Date: September 19, 1989
- Location: Chester, Pennsylvania
- Memphis connection: Memphis Tigers guard (2008–09); Memphis Grizzlies guard (2017–18)
- College honors: USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2009); C‑USA Freshman of the Year; C‑USA Tournament MVP; All‑C‑USA First Team
- 2008–09 Tigers: 33–4 record; NCAA Sweet Sixteen
- NBA milestones: No. 4 overall pick (2009); NBA Rookie of the Year (2010)
- Grizzlies highlight: Averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds in 2017–18; set franchise mark with a made three in 28 straight games on Feb. 23, 2018
Main Story
Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on September 19, 1989, Tyreke Evans chose the University of Memphis for his lone college season and quickly became a defining figure in Memphis history. Shifted to point guard midseason, Evans led the Tigers in scoring and steals and helped guide a 33–4 campaign that ended in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. His play earned sweeping recognition, including USBWA National Freshman of the Year, Conference USA Freshman of the Year, C‑USA Tournament MVP, and first‑team All‑C‑USA honors.
Evans entered the 2009 NBA Draft and was selected fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings. He captured the league’s Rookie of the Year award in 2010. The Bluff City connection deepened in 2017–18 when Evans returned to Memphis as a Grizzlies guard. In 52 games, he averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, and on February 23, 2018, he set a franchise record with at least one three-pointer in 28 consecutive games. For fans around FedExForum near Beale Street, his blend of scoring and playmaking was a bright spot in a transitional season.
Legacy
Evans’ birthday is a moment to appreciate how one season can shape a program and a city. His 2008–09 run remains part of the Tigers’ proud tradition, while his 2017–18 Grizzlies stint showcased the kind of dynamic guard play Memphis embraces. In the 901, from campus to downtown, Evans’ impact is a remembered chapter in Bluff City basketball culture and Memphis history.
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