From double clutch to Dean Dome: How Kyan Evans is ready to boost Tar Heels
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UNC added guard Kyan Evans, a 44.6% shooter from 3-point range, for 2025 roster.
- Evans brings Colorado State experience and NCAA Tournament success to Chapel Hill.
- Coach Hubert Davis cites Evans’ shooting, defense and versatility as key assets.
Kyan Evans doesn’t remember exactly how old he was — third or fourth grade, maybe — but one practice after North Carolina’s 2016 national championship loss is still clear in his mind. Before Evans or his young teammates had even stretched, his coach lined the team up.
His instructions were simple: “Everybody shoot the Marcus Paige shot.”
Paige hit the shot before the shot as, after his double-clutch shot tied the score, Villanova’s Kris Jenkins hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer giving the Wildcats a 77-74 win in the NCAA final at Houston.
“We all out there trying to shoot the double clutch... it’s a crazy full-circle moment that I’m here now and kind of in [Paige’s] shoes in some way,” Evans said last month on the Carolina Insider podcast.
After two seasons at Colorado State, the junior guard is one of 10 new scholarship players joining the Tar Heels this year. Evans considers himself a true point guard, a role that comes with a lot of pressure given the strong lineage of UNC floor generals, like Paige, who have come before him.
Evans isn’t sure yet of his exact role, he explained in a Wednesday press conference. He may be the primary ball handler. He may share that responsibility. But he’s certain about one thing, at least as far as his game is concerned: he can shoot the lights out.
“I’m just a guy you can’t leave any space,” Evans said. “No space.”
His family’s best shooter
The guard said he grew up in a “really competitive family.” Evans’ parents and siblings used to compete against him in shooting contests when he was little.
“Everybody thought they were the best shooter in the family,” Evans said. “But I kind of solidified that last year.”
After averaging just over eight minutes a game as a freshman, Evans shot 44.6% from behind the arc as a sophomore starter. He scored in double figures 23 times last year and credited a mid-season “burst of confidence” for his success later in the year. Most notably, Evans notched a career-high of 23 points (on a career-best six 3s) in March to help 12th-seeded Colorado State upset No. 5 seed Memphis in the NCAA Tournament first round.
“Him coming here not only brings a high level of skill from a basketball standpoint, but also experience,” Hubert Davis said last week, “and that’s something that we were looking for.”
Evans’ shooting could provide the offensive boost UNC needs after finishing just 85th nationally in 3-point percentage last season.
Davis has emphasized the importance of perimeter shooting for offensive spacing and already praised Evans’ versatility both on and off the ball. He said the guard is a threat with the ball in his hands, coming off ball screens or in off-the ball action: flares, staggers or wide pins.
As for Evans’ self-scout, he declined to compare himself to any pro player. He’s a Chris Paul fan and has even come around to Steph Curry after seeing his 2024 Olympics performance.
”I didn’t like Curry back in the day when he used to beat LeBron,” Evans joked.
Playing bigger than you are
Evans, aside from his shooting, prides himself on his ability to play longer than he is. Evans feels his defensive instincts help him make up for any lack of size.
“That’s definitely something I had to figure out last year as well,” Evans said. “Just being on a college court and not being the biggest guy is different. You gotta be really physical and you gotta use some things to your strengths... I had to learn and figure out how to guard bigger guys for sure.”
Another thing Evans learned? How to share the floor with top-level talent.
The guard played at Colorado State alongside 2025 first-round NBA Draft pick Nique Clifford. He said this experience has prepared him for his upcoming role on a loaded Tar Heel roster with the likes of Seth Trimble and Luka Bogovac.
Evans warned future defenders about leaving him any space, yes, but he also offered this warning for those who allow him to enter the paint.
“I’m gonna get my teammates involved,” Evans said. “It’s hard to [guard] both. So good luck.”
And if Evans manages to get off a double-clutch 3-pointer? Well, they’ll really need all the luck they can get.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM.