By Alex Madrid/ info@eurohoops.net
Dealing with plenty of injuries midway through the 2022-23 season, Valencia is ready to make an addition.
The Oranges are nearing a deal to add Shannon Evans to the roster, as initially reported by Spanish outlet Encestando and confirmed by Eurohoops sources.
Packing Alex Mumbru’s injury list are Victor Claver (ribs), Jared Harper (thigh), Martin Hermannsson (left knee), Millan Jimenez (left ankle), Jasiel Rivero (right knee), and Sam Van Rossom (right knee). Addressing the perimeter, Evans can boost options for the 43-year-old head coach moving forward in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and domestic competitions.
Coming in with professional experience stemming from Turkey, France, and Hungary, the former Arizona State and Buffalo player in the NCAA joined Coosur Real Betis ahead of the 2021-22 season. Following solid displays in his first campaign, he is currently averaging a league-high 21 points along with 5.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds per ACB game in the 2022-23 edition of Spain’s Liga Endesa. The Seville outfit battling to avoid relegation has been limited to a W-L tally of 3-12.
Building up his career overseas, Evans has yet to compete beyond domestic leagues in Europe but represented Guinea internationally. He earned six caps in the 2023 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers averaging 14.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Valencia carrying a 7-8 record is one game shy of the top eight at the domestic level. Eight wins in 18 EuroLeague games fall two games short of the Playoffs zone at the continental level.
Photo Credit: ACB