What Villanova Is Getting in Oregon Transfer Kwame Evans Jr.

The former McDonalds All American will be relied on to bring defensive punch and offensive versatility. Plus, a look at key additions at Butler and Connecticut.

Kevin Willard added a versatile piece when Kwame Evans. Jr. announced he was transferring to the Main Line following three years at Oregon. The 6’10 forward has a center’s length, creation skills of a wing, and provides a presence at the rim on the defensive end.

The Baltimore native has seen a bit of everything on his basketball journey — from playing alongside Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen at Montverde Academy to a college career that has spanned the Pac-12, Big Ten, and Big East.

Evans was a McDonald’s on the country’s most dominant team at the time, Montverde Academy. It was there that Evans played alongside Flagg and Queen, as well as Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell, and Dillon Mitchell.

Evans’ college impact was immediate, as he averaged 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 22 minutes per game as a freshman. His first Pac-12 game served as a statement: 22 points, eight rebounds, and five steals in an 82-74 win over a USC team featuring Isaiah Collier, Bronny James, Vince Iwuchukwu, Arrinten Page, and Oziyah Sellers.

The Ducks took out South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (Evans finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and two blocks), before being eliminated by Creighton in a double overtime thriller.

A year later, Oregon once again won in the first round (81-52 versus Liberty) before falling in the round of 32 (87-83 to Arizona).

Statistically, Evans’ breakout came this season (13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 steals), despite Oregon struggling throughout a brutal year (12-20 overall, 5-15 in the Big Ten).

The Ducks were without point guard Jackson Shelstad (now at Louisville) for all but 12 games, but even when he was available they were a .500 team.

What is Villanova getting in Kwame Evans Jr.?

Let’s start with the versatility. The lefty can post-up and score on hook shots with either hand, is a drive-and-kick option at 6’10, and can serve as either a pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop stretch big. Defensively, he offers protection at the rim, but several of his blocks came out on the perimeter after switches.

Here’s a look at some of his blocks from this past season:

Evans finished the season with five games of 20+ points, four games of 13+ rebounds, and three games of 4+ blocks.

Willard should enjoy taking advantage of Evans’ passing ability. He finds shooters out of the post, from the nail, and he’s dangerous as a spot-up player — knocking down threes if left open, but also driving to the rim and either kicking out for threes and dishing to bigs inside:

As far as how Evans got his offense, 28.8% of his possessions were in spot-up situations — either as a catch-and-shoot option, or drawing defenders and driving. Another 11.6% came as a post option (where Evans shot 70% on hook shots), and 10.9% came from diving to the rim after a pick-and-roll.

While Evans provides spacing, he’s a better shooter than his catch-and-shoot numbers indicate (30.9% in 2025-26).

A Look at the Film

Here is an unfiltered look at Evans from late in the season — including makes, misses, assists, and turnovers. His late four-point play against Washington was one of the highlights of the season for the Ducks.

The Final Word

Evans will be the centerpiece of a retooled Villanova big man rotation.

Willard got a huge year out of Duke Brennan a season ago, while Matthew Hodge was one of the most underrated players in the league before he went down with a torn ACL in late February. Not coincidentally, the Wildcats took a big step back without him.

That was in large part due to how well Hodge was playing, but also spoke to the lack of depth in Villanova’s frontcourt beyond Brennan and Hodge.

Brennan and Braden Pierce (off to Charleston) are both gone from the rotation, but Nico Onyekwere returns as a massive, albeit inexperienced piece, to go along with Evans and a huge piece in 7’3 Luigi Suigo.

Evans’s versatility, combined with his experience, makes him one of the most impactful additions to the Big East next year. This is a player who has started 60 games across the Pac-12 and Big Ten, played in four NCAA Tournament games, and fills the stat sheet in almost every way.

Willard struck gold with another Baltimore native (Evans’ former teammate) in Derik Queen at Maryland two years ago, and he’ll likely lean heavily on Evans next season.

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Read more from the Big East Film Room — our recent transfer portal features include a look at Jordan Ellerbee, who broke freshman scoring records at Florida Gulf Coast, and Nils Machowski (17.8 ppg), an outstanding outside shooter who will bring scoring punch to UConn’s backcourt.