April 8, 2009

From Holy Cross Athletic Communications

Worcester, Mass. - Holy Cross freshman guard R.J. Evansa has been named to the 2009 College Insider Men's Basketball Mid-Major Freshman All-America team. Evans was one of 21 players from across the nation selected to the squad, which was chosen by Division I head coaches, NBA scouts and the College Insider staff.

Evans was previously named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the League's All-Rookie team and All-Tournament team. He led the team with an average of 13.4 points per game, in addition to averaging 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest. Evans finished the season ranked third in the league in steals, eighth in scoring and 11th in rebounding.

He led the team in scoring 12 times this year and scored in double-figures 24 times, including 21 double-digit scoring games in the final 26 contests of the season. Evans became the first freshman to lead Holy Cross in scoring since Ryan Serravalle averaged 11.6 points per game in 1998-1999. In addition, his 429 total points scored this season were the second-most ever by a Crusader freshman, behind only Ronnie Perry with 574 points in 1976-1977.

Holy Cross finished the 2008-2009 campaign with an overall record of 18-14, while placing second in the Patriot League with an 11-3 mark in League games. The Crusaders advanced to the Patriot League Championship game, where they fell to American.

Evans is the second Patriot Leaguer to earn Mid-Major Freshman All-America honors in the last three years, as current Lehigh junior Marquis Hall was named to the squad in 2007.