The dynamic West Side Leadership Academy point guard, who commands the floor at only 5-foot-6 inches, announced at a Sept. 27 press conference her intention to attend the University of Louisville, where Dana Evans will play with the Cardinals Women’s Basketball team.
“I chose the Cards,” Evans said as she elaborated on her relationship with the Cards coaching staff that led to her decision. “They’re going to make me a better player.” She also said a lot of praying went into the decision. A decision she didn’t reveal to anyone until the press conference. “I asked God to show me the way.”
Dana Evans was joined by her parents Damon and Shwanda Evans, who have supported her athletic goals since elementary school. Long before it was time for Dana to consider college she was receiving full scholarship offers from universities trying to secure stakes in someone destined to be an exceptional athlete. When she was just 11 years old, she received an offer from Valparaiso University and then later Purdue.
They were right. This West Side Cougar makes a believer out of the skeptics when she plays because not only is she a high scorer — averaging 35.8 pints, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists — she also is a great point guard expertly directing her teams offense with no hesitation.
Dana won a gold medal with the 2016 USA Women’s Basketball U18 National Team in Valdivia, Chile. Although Evans tried out for the team, she was placed on the alternate list. It wasn’t until a player was injured that opened the door for Dana to join the team. On a team of the best of the best she averaged 8.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
