Story by Rob Herbst, Bowling Green Daily News
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Minutes before Western Kentucky forward Jeremy Evans stepped onto the E.A. Diddle Arena floor for a game earlier this year, a fan stopped Evans and complimented his skills.
But the Hilltopper fan didn't stop Evans because of his basketball work. He stopped the WKU senior because of another one of Evans' talents - art.
The 6-foot-9 senior from Crossett, Ark., is most known for his basketball ability that has helped lead the Hilltoppers to two consecutive Sun Belt Conference Tournament championships, but he's also gaining notoriety for his artwork.
Evans' artwork, which consists mostly of drawn portraits of athletes and celebrities, has been showcased in Bowling Green. Approximately 15 of Evans' pieces were displayed in WKU's Hall of Champions at Diddle Arena before a game in December.
The Warren County Public Library in Bowling Green also had an Evans exhibit last year.
"It's always exciting to get that reaction from somebody," Evans said. "I'm grateful that fans get a look at what I could do off the court."
Artistry and basketball might seem to have nothing in common, but a competitive spirit that's evident on the court and has made him a four-year starter for the Hilltoppers also got Evans started on the road to art as a 5-year-old.
"The first picture I brought home, I traced it," Evans said. "I told (my family) I drew it, but they explained to me that tracing isn't really drawing. So that's when I took it upon myself as a challenge to draw without tracing. I'm very competitive, so I wanted to show that I could do it."
Motherly love helped too.
"A teacher told my mom (Gwyn Evans) to keep an eye on me because I was doing a little better than the other kids in terms of art and stuff, like coloring. And she did. She motivated me to stay with it and that's all I needed - something positive."
Because of his mother's support, he'd eventually like to do a picture of her.
"She's been there from day one," Evans said.
Along with some support, a time commitment was also needed in order for Evans' talent to blossom.
Nestled in the southeast corner of Arkansas, Crossett isn't exactly a haven for aspiring artists.
When Evans needed more extravagant supplies than typical pencil and paper, a 45-minute trip each way to Monroe, La., was necessary.
Now, he's much more than someone who simply doodles during his free time.
Evans is a interdisciplinary studies major, with a concentration in art.
"He takes a lot of pride in it," WKU coach Ken McDonald said. "When I got here (prior to the 2008-09 season) and you're getting to know the guys and what they're like, one of the first things I heard about was Jeremy and his art. He's very talented."
Some of Evans' pieces are displayed in the WKU men's basketball offices.
Evans does incorporate basketball into his art. A portrait of Michael Jordan is maybe Evans most prized possession and his most complimented work.
"I like portraits because they're harder to do," Evans said. "Once someone looks at your work and they know who it is, you know you did a good job. I really like that."
Some of Evans' portrait subjects are also especially familiar to him.
During last year's NCAA Tournament, Evans drew an impromptu picture of CBS college basketball analyst Dan Bonner and the work was shown during WKU's second-round tournament game against Gonzaga.
Evans has also drawn up caricatures of some teammates, along with WKU assistant coaches.
"They are absolutely hilarious. Absolutely classic," McDonald said.
But McDonald has yet to be one of Evans' subjects. And for good reason.
Joked McDonald: "I think he's waiting until he's exhausted his eligibility because he knows it could affect minutes with a caricature of me. I'm losing my hair and I've got a big 'ol forehead he could really razz me with. But I know it's coming."
Evans said he'd eventually like to do a portrait of every teammate he's played with, along with coaches. He'd also like to relive maybe his most memorable moment as a Hilltopper.
Evans would like to do a picture of former teammate Ty Rogers' dramatic game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer that beat Drake in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
Sometimes his role as a Hilltopper simply gets in the way.
"Time-wise, it's tough," Evans said. "When the season starts, I just don't have the time. On the road, I might take a note pad and just play around and I've gotten started on a few pieces that I've never got to finish."
Instead, Evans has to settle for another kind of artwork.
"Jeremy is an artist on canvas or wherever, so he put a design in my hair with a haircut," teammate Sergio Kerusch said. "Jeremy is the guy that does everything. The dude you can just call and can count on to do everything."
Best of all, Kerusch's artwork didn't come with a fee.
