When Virginia freshman Jontel Evans checked into Friday night’s game against Longwood at John Paul Jones Arena, there was a noticeable ovation from the crowd.

On Tuesday, UVa senior Calvin Baker underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean out a loose piece of cartilage in his right knee.

Taking part in Virginia’s Elite Camp on Tuesday at John Paul Jones Arena, incoming UVa freshmen Tristan Spurlock and Jontel Evans displayed that quality in spades.

Just a couple of days after finalizing an impressive new staff, the new Virginia coach — not the crooner — kept his first recruiting class intact when Tristan Spurlock and Jontel “Bub” Evans both re-committed to the program.

Jontel “Bub” Evans still hasn’t met with new Virginia coach Tony Bennett yet, but the incoming recruit doesn’t sound like a guy who’s wavering in his decision to join the program.

Now that Virginia has a new coach in Tony Bennett, one of the bigger questions is whether four-star recruit Tristan Spurlock will be joining him.

Since coming to Charlottesville three years ago, Virginia coach Dave Leitao has been able to recruit a stable of three- and four-star prospects to his program.

Tristan Spurlock, a small forward from Montrose Christian, is set to become a Cavalier.

On Friday, the Hampton native gave his verbal commitment to play for UVa beginning in 2009. The 5-foot-11 Bethel High star, who is heading into his senior year, picked Virginia over a host of schools, including Marquette, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.

The Daily Progress has learned that Jontel Evans, a 5-foot-10 point guard out of Hampton, has given his verbal commitment to play for UVa in 2009.