Spurlock and Evans shine at camp

In a basketball camp setting, it can sometimes be tough to decipher who has game and who doesn’t. Nobody is used to playing with each other, and fouls are called sporadically.

But the one thing that is usually pretty easy to detect is a player’s competitiveness.

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.

Both players, who were recruited by former coach Dave Leitao, then re-recruited by new coach Tony Bennett, seemed truly happy to finally be on grounds.

“I’m real excited,” said Evans, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Hampton. “It’s been great to meet the coaches more and also the players and stuff. It’s real exciting.

“I waited for a long time. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Evans, who told The Daily Progress that he has academically qualified and is set to begin summer classes on July 5, was diving all over the floor and playing in an aggressive style that should be a welcome addition to the program. On several plays, he showed no hesitation in taking the ball to the basket against bigger players and, somewhat surprisingly, he was able to finish at the rim. Often times, it almost seemed as if Evans was the one seeking the contact.

“That’s how [you] have to play when guys are bigger and stronger,” he said. “You have to expect contact when you go to the hole.”

Evans, who also made a couple of nice passes on the fastbreak, grew up idolizing fellow Hampton native Allen Iverson. Like Iverson, Evans was also a two-sport standout in high school — he was offered a football scholarship by a number of Division I schools, including N.C. State.

“I don’t have any regrets,” said Evans, when asked about picking basketball over football, “but I know I’ll miss it when the season comes.”

On the hardwood this season, Evans will be competing with senior Calvin Baker and sophomore Sammy Zeglinski for time at point guard.

Spurlock, meanwhile, could have a more immediate impact as a wing player. On Tuesday, the 6-foot-8 Maryland native showed off his athleticism, throwing down numerous dunks on the fastbreak, including one alley-oop during an early-afternoon game.

Spurlock is glad to be coming into the program with his buddy Evans. The former AAU teammates are now roommates.

“It’s been fun because we know each other’s games,” Spurlock said. “That’s why we decided to come here

together. We felt we could help turn around UVa.”

Spurlock said he’s been a little rusty during Elite Camp since he hadn’t played five-on-five in a while.

“I’m just working on things I can control and have been trying to encourage my teammates,” he said. “I already have a scholarship here, so I’ve been looking to set a lot more people up. I’ve been working on my point-guard skills, my ballhandling and my stamina.”

After losing a game late in the day, Spurlock was visibly upset. He banged a wall behind a basket and could be seen muttering.

“I hate losing, period,” he said. “You could beat me in checkers or rock, paper and scissors and I’m going to be mad.

“I’m going to play you until I win.”

Sounds like both he and Evans could be nice pieces to the puzzle.