Maurice Evans is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on November 8, 1978, in Wichita, Kansas, and attended Wichita Collegiate School before playing college basketball at the University of Texas at Austin.
Evans began his professional career in 2001 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played sparingly in his rookie season, appearing in only 10 games and averaging 1.2 points per game. However, he saw more playing time in his second season, averaging 5.2 points per game in 47 games.
After two seasons with the Timberwolves, Evans was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2003. He played one season with the Kings before being traded again, this time to the Detroit Pistons. Evans played two seasons with the Pistons, helping them reach the NBA Finals in 2005.
In 2006, Evans signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent. He played two seasons with the Lakers, serving as a valuable role player off the bench. In 2008, he signed with the Orlando Magic, where he played for two seasons and helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 2009.
After his stint with the Magic, Evans signed with the Atlanta Hawks in 2010. He played one season with the Hawks before being traded to the Washington Wizards in 2011. Evans played his final season in the NBA with the Wizards, appearing in 56 games and averaging 4.9 points per game.
Throughout his career, Evans was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. He was a solid defender and a reliable three-point shooter, finishing his career with a 37.1% three-point shooting percentage. He was also known for his leadership and professionalism, serving as a mentor to younger players on his teams.
After retiring from the NBA, Evans remained involved in basketball as a coach and executive. He served as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2016 to 2018 and was an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2019-2020 season.
Overall, Maurice Evans had a successful career in the NBA, playing for six different teams and helping his teams reach the NBA Finals twice. He was a valuable role player and a respected veteran leader, and his contributions to the game of basketball continue to be felt today.
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