Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

There weren’t many guards who welcomed contact the way Tyreke Evans did, using his strength and long strides to bully his way into the paint before defenders could cut off the lane. Even when opponents loaded up to stop the drive, he had the composure to keep his dribble alive, draw extra help, and create scoring chances that began with pressure on the rim rather than fancy ball handling.

Here’s a detailed profile of Tyreke Evans:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Tyreke Jamir Evans
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born September 19, 1989
  • Hometown: Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters)
  • Shoe Size: US size 14
  • Number: Most notably wore 13, 1, and 12
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: American Christian Academy in Aston, Pennsylvania.
    • A top-ranked recruit, Evans was known for his scoring ability and versatility.
  • College: University of Memphis (2008–2009)
    • Played one season under coach John Calipari, averaging 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
  • NBA Draft: Selected 4th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Sacramento Kings (2009–2013)
    2. New Orleans Pelicans (2013–2017)
    3. Sacramento Kings (2017)
    4. Memphis Grizzlies (2017–2018)
    5. Indiana Pacers (2018–2019)
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA.
  • Kids: No public information about children.
  • Siblings: Tyreke has three older brothers—Doc, Jamal, and Dion—who played significant roles in his development as a basketball player.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Tyreke Evans’ player archetype was that of a power guard creator, a big, ball-dominant lead guard who combined downhill scoring with point-forward playmaking. Defensively, he had the size and length to check either guard spot and absorb contact, though his value came more from physical versatility than from being a true lockdown stopper. Offensively, Evans was most effective as a primary initiator who attacked the paint, handled pick-and-roll duties, and created pressure with his ability to get two feet in the lane before spraying passes or finishing through traffic. Physically, he stood around 6-foot-6 with a strong frame, long reach, and the kind of body control that let him play through contact and shift between backcourt roles. His play style revolved around slashing, ball control, rim pressure, and multi-category production, giving him the feel of a combo guard who could carry offense in stretches while still functioning as a facilitator. (NBADraft)

Scouting Report

Tyreke Evans always looked most comfortable when possessions became physical rather than pretty. The first thing you notice isn’t necessarily the speed, it’s the strength with the ball. Defenders could cut off his initial lane and he’d simply lower his shoulder, keep his dribble alive through contact and arrive in the paint anyway, forcing the defence to collapse before flicking a pass to a cutter or firing the ball to the weak-side corner. He wasn’t the kind of pick-and-roll guard who manipulated defenders with endless changes of direction or elaborate reads. Instead, he created advantages by making it feel impossible to dislodge him once he had a shoulder past his man. That downhill pressure generated free throws, kick-outs and plenty of awkward rotations for the low man, particularly when he attacked empty-side actions with room to build momentum. The trade-off was that the ball could stick. Evans often preferred to probe until he found a driving angle he liked, which occasionally slowed the rhythm of the offence and left teammates waiting rather than moving from one advantage to the next. His perimeter jumper demanded enough respect to prevent defenders from completely ignoring him, but it never became the foundation of his scoring. Defensively, he had the frame to absorb contact from larger guards and wings, and when fully engaged he disrupted drives with active hands while using his length to recover after being screened. Off the ball, though, his concentration could drift, particularly when multiple screening actions forced quick communication and early rotations. It’s easy to overlook how valuable he became when surrounded by quick decision-makers who kept the floor spaced and let him attack against a shifting defence instead of a loaded one. In those line-ups, he didn’t need to dominate every possession because his strength as a secondary creator became much more pronounced. To me, his game shared elements of Joe Johnson’s patient, powerful approach to creating space and Shaun Livingston’s ability to play through contact from the guard spot, although Evans leaned much more heavily on relentless rim pressure than polished footwork or mid-range rhythm.

Fun Facts

  • In 2019, Evans was banned from the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. He was reinstated in February 2022, he expressed interest in returning to professional basketball.
  • Rookie of the Year (2010): Averaged 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in his first season, joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James as the only rookies at the time to average at least 20-5-5.
  • Known for his ability to play multiple positions, strong driving to the basket, and versatility as a scorer and playmaker.
    Career averages: 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Sources:

Memphis Tigers — 2008-09 Men’s Basketball Roster – Tyreke Evans
NBA Draft — Tyreke Evans
Basketball-Reference — Tyreke Evans Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more