Chester's Tyreke Evans leaving Memphis for NBA

Memphis freshman and Chester native Tyreke Evans is leaving Memphis for the NBA, a decision made easier when his coach John Calipari left the school for the University of Kentucky.

Evans' brother, Julius "Doc" Evans, confirmed the decision to the Memphis Commercial Appeal on Tuesday.

"Coach is going to do what's best for him and his family; that's what he told me," Doc Evans tole the newspaper. "I totally respect what he did, but I can't comment on anything Cal does. All I worry about is us."

Evans, a 6-foot-5 guard from Chester, Pa., was one of the top recruits in the country last year out of American Christian and is expected to be a first round pick in the NBA.

Evans scored 33 points in the Tigers' loss to Missouri last Thursday in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. He finished his Memphis career averaging 17.1 points and 5.4 rebounds.

"I think he had a great year," Doc Evans said. "We all know that college is a system designed for a team atmosphere and a team concept. The NBA is more individual, one-on-one. So I think 'Reke, for adjusting to the college atmosphere and coming in doing what he's doing, I think he had a great year. It was a great time. It was a great college atmosphere. Hopefully they can bounce back from this. We'll see."