For Elle Evans, basketball has been a lifelong passion, but her journey to Kansas started long before she suited up for the Jayhawks. From lighting up the court at North Dakota State to making her mark in the Big 12, Evans’ story is one of hard work, determination, and a love for the game that started in her hometown of Edwardsville. But who is Elle Evans beyond the court? Let’s take a closer look at her family, early years, and rise to college basketball stardom.

Although Evans prefers to keep her personal life private, but one thing is clear—her family played a huge role in shaping the player she is today. She was born to Eric Evans and Julie Evans (maiden name Reinecke) in Edwardsville, Illinois. Her mother, Julie, was a student-athlete at Southern Indiana University and she grew up alongside her siblings, Warner Evans, and Payton Evans.

While many might know her for her sharpshooting and versatility, her family knows her as the dedicated athlete who spent hours in the gym perfecting her craft.

And this tendency to perfect her sport is what brought Evans to Kansas, a program known for its rich history of excellence, but currently in a state of flux (in terms of its women’s basketball team). After losing key players like Taiyanna Jackson, Holly Kersgieter, and Zakiyah Franklin, their head coach Brandon Schneider was looking to rebuild—and Evans was a big part of that plan.

Coach Schneider saw something special in Evans when she entered the transfer portal after two standout seasons at North Dakota State in April of 2024. “Elle will play on the perimeter as a wing player,” Schneider said. “Her ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions makes her a key piece for us.”

She saw a player who could stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, and bring a spark to a team that needed it.

Her new teammates saw it, too. “Elle Evans, shooter,” said sophomore guard S’Mya Nichols. “She comes to practice with a smile, she’s in the gym earlier than us, getting shots up, and stays later than us getting shots up.”

The Journey Begins: From Edwardsville to the Big Stage

Before becoming a Jayhawk, Elle’s journey began in Edwardsville, Illinois, till 2021. She was a three-year starter at Edwardsville High School, where she averaged 9.65 points, 4.15 rebounds, and 2.31 assists per game. She earned First Team All-Conference honors as a junior and helped her team to two regional and three conference championships.

Her basketball career, however, started even earlier. In sixth grade (middle school), she played for Team Swish, where she first showcased her talent. She then moved on to Bluestar STL  under the tutelage of Coach Jeff Silvey till 2019 and later the Edwardsville Tigers under coach Caty Happe, where she continued to refine her game.

Image courtesy of @maddystephen24 on Instagram.Her high school coach, Caty Happe, recognized Elle’s relentless work ethic early on. “In the last three weeks, she has probably put up 10,000 shots. She wants to get better and is constantly in the gym,” Happe said.

By the time Elle’s high school career was winding down, she had 12 college programs knocking on her door. She received offers from Army, Colorado, Penn, Stephen F. Austin, SIUE, St. Louis University, Utah State, and Virginia Tech, among others. After careful consideration, she chose North Dakota State University, committing in October 2021.

“The recruiting process was very overwhelming for me. To have it over and to know where my next four years would be was amazing,” Evans said at the time.

Evans wasted no time making an impact at NDSU. As a freshman, she was named the Summit League Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the all-defensive team. She continued to elevate her game in her sophomore season, averaging 15.5 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 48% from three-point range.

She played a crucial role in leading the Bison to a 22-12 season, securing the No. 2 spot in the Summit League and a WNIT Super 16 appearance. Her standout performances, including a career-high 33 points against the University of North Dakota, cemented her reputation as one of the best players in the program’s history.

The Move to Kansas and What’s Next

After two dominant seasons at NDSU, Evans entered the transfer portal in April 2024 and was quickly scooped up by Kansas. She has already started making an impact in the Big 12, by averaging 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds,1.2 assists per game with a field goal percentage of 42.8 %.

Her playing style has always been a key factor in her success. “I love to shoot the three and play fast and versatile in a lot of aspects,” Evans said.

Fun Facts About Elle Evans 

• Jersey Number: Elle has always worn No. 21 since middle school and has never changed it.
• Favorite Player Growing Up: Katie Lou Samuelson.
• Biggest Role Model: Kate Martin.
• Why She Chose Kansas: “I chose KU because it checked all my boxes. I loved the coaches, the playing style, and the history of Kansas basketball. On my visit, I just knew this was where I wanted to be.”

With Kansas rebuilding and looking to climb the Big 12 rankings, Elle Evans will be a key player in their journey. Whether it’s her deadly shooting, defensive versatility, or relentless work ethic, she’s already making a name for herself on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.

One thing’s for sure—fans will want to keep an eye on Elle Evans as she continues to rise. From Team Swish in middle school to Edwardsville to NDSU and now Kansas, her journey is just getting started.