Thank you RJ!

[BUHusky]

I know a lot of this board loves hating on this kid (mostly because a lot this board is a bunch of morons, but I digress...), however, with Senior Day tomorrow I'd like to take this time to point out that RJ deserves a big thank you from all Husky fans. Without him, UConn doesn't win 19 games (hopefully 20) and make Kevin Ollie's rookie campaign the success that it has become. Here are a few things I love about this kid.

-He decided to use his last year of eligibility to play at his dream school even though he knew UConn had no opportunity to play in the post season. His passion to put on a UConn jersey was so great that he didn't care if it was during a "throw away" season. If that's not love, loyalty, and commitment, then I don't know what is.

-He gives 100% effort every single game. Yes, yes, we all know he doesn't have skill set nor body type to be very productive in the Big East (or whatever they are calling it these days...), but that doesn't stop him from giving the team all he's got every single time he steps out on the court. And every once in a while he has one of those nice drives to the hoop for a layup. Considering how many OT games the Huskies had this year, every point counted.

-He is always the first guy off the bench, clapping his hands, high-fiving teammates during a timeout or after a good play. Despite not playing many minutes (until recently), he never sulked about it because he knew his role and relished it. He is the best cheerleader UConn had all season (and that includes the spirit squad and fans).

-He has brought experience and stability to a team with no seniors. Every good team needs a guy like him to provide that senior experience and stability both on and off the court. Rashamel and more recently Donnell were both guys who didn't play a lot of minutes their senior year, but both were still invaluable to their team because of their senior leadership. Add RJ to that list.

So if just for one day, can we ALL please appreciate everything RJ has done for the team this year. I just wish I was at Gampel tomorrow to clap and cheer when he lifts up that UConn jersey. It's been an honor to call him a Husky. Thank you RJ!

 

[mauconnfan]

+100000000000..............

Lived his dream and he did well!!

 

[huskyharry]

Very true!
I also think the injury to his sternum has held him back more than they say.

 

[joober jones]

Now this is what we need - support of our players rather than throwing them under the bus. Thanks for everything this year RJ!

 

[Northbound]

Amen, brother very true. Tip of the cap to you RJ thanks for letting us be along for the ride as you fulfilled your dream.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Nice post

 

[housekeys]

Great post. Before I had seen him play, I read about his background and how he wanted to be a Husky. That is all I needed to know. For me, it is like he has played all 4 years. If I could tell him anything, I would say that if we win a championship over the next 3 years, his presence, attitude and influence on the other guys, will have made a big contribution. Thanks RJ and continued best of luck.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

Great post.

I was thinking that today that this kid is doing what any one of us would LOVE to do. Just be able to run onto the court with UCONN on your uni.

Lots of people have given the kid crap here on the board. I understand we just want to win. And I know about the missed free throws and jumpers.


RJ came here !!! While Oriaiki, Smith and Bradley ran and left us shorthanded. Don't ever forget that. RJ embraced being a Husky during our darkest period.

So in honor of RJ I am wearing my UCONN 12 shirt( in Section 5) to the game today.

All in attendance should stand and applaude this young man.

He ran towards the fire when others ran away !!!!!!!

 

[Ricky1Moore]

Great post man. RJ did us right, and in return he has made a little name for himself (enough to be known on east coast) which will greatly help him to find a spot on a coaching staff somewhere in NE. I don't actually know his future plans, but if they are in basketball then he will be rewarded for his effort this season.

 

[mauconnfan]

Hear hear Calhoun's Court!

 

[sparky]

I've enjoyed the good and the bad of RJ. The one absolute is like the rest of the guys there is no quit in RJ. Effort++++++

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I was thinking that today that this kid is doing what any one of us would LOVE to do.

Yes, and better than any one of us, I'd say.

I can close my eyes and smile warmly when I picture some of the missed shots.

Last year, I nearly tore my hair out at some of the missed, turn-around, throw-it-in-the air-from-close range bunnies.

Big cheers on Senior Day for RJ!

Pin or bump?

 

[OkaForPrez]

I think RJ Evans is responsible for far more of this teams success than he will ever get credit for. Thank you RJ.

 

[RM99]

Thanks RJ and all the players for an exciting year. Go Huskies.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Even though he's not a uconn guard by our "standards" I agree we do not win 19 games without this man off the bench. He was a high effort player and his experience was invaluable. His most valuable trait to the team however had to be that he can handle the ball when bazz or boatright were out of the game. I don't think even the biggest Evans bashers ( including myself ) understand how important that was.


So in short.............


THANKS RJ!!!!

 

[Oxford Bob]

Great Post, the kid played hard, represented the school and family very well. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.

 

[BUHusky]

A final thanks to RJ for the amazing defense he played on Cotton for 42 grueling minutes today. Without that UConn doesn't get their 20th win.

Whatever your future may hold, good luck RJ!

 

[superjohn]

He was huge today.

 

[3rdbass]

Yes, though I cringed every time he went to the FT line his effort was pivotal to this win. Key rebounds and great defense. Just if he could have made one FT. Oh well still a great sendoff win for him!

 

[UChusky916]

He made a few plays today that altered the game. Got a few rebounds, handled the ball, played great D.

Despite his misses from the line, I know he will look back at his time here proudly. I know I do. Thanks RJ

 

[ctchamps]

Didn't see this until now. Have loved this kid from day 1 for all the reasons you elegantly list. There are many types of fans. RJ won't get any appreciation from fans that want their players to look like All Americans. These are the book cover fans that miss the intangibles some of the role players offer the team.

They are the scrub fans that if judged in the same manner they judge some players we would ridicule them into oblivion. Ok some of us in fact try to plaster them in the same manner they plaster these players.

I want to wish RJ a long and happy future in whatever endeavor he chooses. The kid has class!

 

[storrsroars]

Reminded me a bit of Ed Nelson in terms of making great use of what he was given and providing stability. Great addition to this year's squad. And he was definitely a boll weevil to Cotton today.

 

[Deleted member 3149]

Thanks RJ!!! One of my all time favorites.

 

[Husky]

thank you RJ Evans. You are incredible

 

[coachRD]

I know a lot of this board loves hating on this kid (mostly because a lot this board is a bunch of morons, but I digress...), however, with Senior Day tomorrow I'd like to take this time to point out that RJ deserves a big thank you from all Husky fans. Without him, UConn doesn't win 19 games (hopefully 20) and make Kevin Ollie's rookie campaign the success that it has become. Here are a few things I love about this kid.

-He decided to use his last year of eligibility to play at his dream school even though he knew UConn had no opportunity to play in the post season. His passion to put on a UConn jersey was so great that he didn't care if it was during a "throw away" season. If that's not love, loyalty, and commitment, then I don't know what is.

-He gives 100% effort every single game. Yes, yes, we all know he doesn't have skill set nor body type to be very productive in the Big East (or whatever they are calling it these days...), but that doesn't stop him from giving the team all he's got every single time he steps out on the court. And every once in a while he has one of those nice drives to the hoop for a layup. Considering how many OT games the Huskies had this year, every point counted.

-He is always the first guy off the bench, clapping his hands, high-fiving teammates during a timeout or after a good play. Despite not playing many minutes (until recently), he never sulked about it because he knew his role and relished it. He is the best cheerleader UConn had all season (and that includes the spirit squad and fans).

-He has brought experience and stability to a team with no seniors. Every good team needs a guy like him to provide that senior experience and stability both on and off the court. Rashamel and more recently Donnell were both guys who didn't play a lot of minutes their senior year, but both were still invaluable to their team because of their senior leadership. Add RJ to that list.

So if just for one day, can we ALL please appreciate everything RJ has done for the team this year. I just wish I was at Gampel tomorrow to clap and cheer when he lifts up that UConn jersey. It's been an honor to call him a Husky. Thank you RJ!

GREAT call. Not only did he do things that helped this year in a very tangible way, I get the impression his demeanor and love for the game and being part of a team has helped set a tone that will carry on after he leaves this season.