Evans signs with USM

PERKINSTON — Je'Mya Evans burst onto the basketball season with an outstanding sophomore season, and she's parlayed that into a Division I scholarship.

The sophomore forward has signed to continue her collegiate career with the University of Southern Mississippi.

Evans averaged 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds this season, leading to spots on the All-NJCAA Region 23 and All-MACCC teams. She helped lead to the Bulldogs to the NJCAA Tournament for the first time since 1977, winning the first Region 23 title since 2000. Gulf Coast finished 23-5.

She had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the region final, earning a spot on the All-Region 23 Tournament Team.

"The conditioning and work I've put in here helped me succeed," Evans said. "They didn't let up. They pushed me."

Gulf Coast coach Hope Adams says Evans has inspired her as a person, not just as a coach. She'll graduate in a couple of weeks and be playing big-time college basketball.

"She's helped us get a championship," Adams said. "She's meant a lot for Gulf Coast, and her legacy will remain here. I'm just glad she's 30 minutes up the road so I can continue to go see her play."

Evans bounced back from a knee injury suffered before the 2021-22 season. She scored 3.3 points per game in her freshman year but blossomed this season. Evans put on a show in the Bulldogs' game at the NJCAA Championship in Casper, Wyo., scoring 21 points while grabbing 11 rebounds.

She'll be playing for the Golden Eagles, who went 20-14 and reached the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. Coach Joye Lee-McNelis' team reach the round of 16 in the WNIT.

"I felt like it's the best fit for me," Evans said. "My family is right down the road, and I'm closer to my baby."

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