Dana Evans stepped onto the West Side Leadership Academy court Monday with little fanfare. She didn’t seem to want it anyway.
About 50 kids at her first basketball camp were already engaged in dribbling drills as the Chicago Sky WNBA player arrived after a morning of practice with her first-place team in Chicago.
“It’s really nice to be back here and give back to the community. It feels surreal,” said Evans, whose basketball career at West Side bounced her to stardom at the University of Louisville.
“Last year was a blur, my rookie year, but it’s really easy being home,” she said.
The Dallas Wings selected the 5-foot-6 guard in the first round of the 2021 WNBA draft, but later traded her to the Sky where she helped win the WNBA championship last October. She also made the WNBA All-Rookie team.
Evans, 24, has formed a strong bond with two-time MVP and WNBA veteran Candace Parker who returned to Chicago last year from Los Angeles to lead the Sky to its first title.
“She’s even a better person than a basketball player,” said Evans of Parker who she calls “Momma Candace,” for the life advice she shares. “She took me under her wing.”
On Monday, Evans mingled freely and hugged many of the girls and boys at her first camp, which was free to Gary residents.
Portage High freshman Layla Buggs, 14, said she watches Evans play whenever she can. She hopes to make the team this year at Portage.
“I like the community at this camp,” she said.
Parent LeBarron Burton brought his daughter, Priscilla, 13, to the camp while older daughter Sarah, 18, served as a volunteer.
“This means a lot to me,” he said. “It gives children the opportunity to do the things she does.”
At West Side, Evans and her family forged a strong bond with then-coach Rod Fisher who fought for recognition for his girls and Evans.
She led West Side to three straight sectional titles, becoming a McDonald’s All-American in 2017 before heading off to Louisville.
Evans is proud of her Gary roots and legacy.
“A lot of people talk about all the negative things, but I think there’s a lot of talent that comes out of here …” she said of her hometown.
Her mother, Shwanda Evans, wore Dana’s red camp T-shirt as she watched her daughter meet with campers.
“It feels amazing as a parent to know my daughter’s dreams came true,” she of her daughter, who swapped ballet for basketball in fourth grade.
She watched her overcome early insecurities, her mom said.
“She used to cry, if she lost,” Shwanda said.
“Now, she’s a pro mentally and physically.”
Evans is seeing limited playing time this year as the Sky will soon head into the playoffs.
“She’s playing behind a lot of veterans. Nothing is being handed to her,” she said.
Evans is also establishing her own stylish brand.
“She’s a glam girl,” said Shwanda of her daughter’s long braided hair and long lashes.
“It began in Louisville, the lashes became her trademark,” said her mom. Evans recently signed a partnership with OpulenceMD Beauty, a Black-owned eye-centric brand based in North Carolina.
Evans and Opulence are launching lash vending machines on college campuses, starting with the University of Louisville. The lashes were created by ophthalmologist Anika Goodwin.
Like many WNBA players, Evans heads overseas in the offseason because the salaries are more lucrative than the WNBA.
Evans plans to spend the winter in Turkey playing for Besiktas-Istanbul, a team in a European league. She played in Hungary last year.
Evans said she prays for Brittney Griner, the WNBA star and Russian player who’s been in a Russian prison since February. Griner was convicted and sentenced to nine years on drug charges, but the U.S. is negotiating for her release along with others.
In the West Side gym, Evans seemed in her element again as she mingled with campers and offered advice.
“It’s really easy being home,” she said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
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