KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced on Wednesday the addition of two high school stars, DeWayne Brown II and Amari Evans, to the program.
Brown, a 6’9″, 255-pound forward from Hoover, Alabama, and Evans, a 6’5″, 211-pound guard from Pittsburgh, are both ranked as consensus four-star recruits. Brown is highly regarded in Alabama, with 247Sports, On3, and ESPN ranking him as the state’s top player. Nationally, he’s among the top 115 recruits, with ESPN listing him as the 66th overall player in the 2025 class and ninth among centers, while 247Sports Composite places him at No. 87.
“We’re thrilled to welcome DeWayne and his family to Knoxville,” Barnes said. “He’s a standout from Hoover’s successful program, winning back-to-back state titles. DeWayne is a skilled forward who can score inside but is also versatile on the perimeter. He works hard, takes coaching well, and we believe he’ll fit perfectly into our program’s culture.”
In Hoover’s recent 7A state championships, Brown excelled, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as a junior, earning him MVP honors for the Bucs, who finished 30-3. In his sophomore year, he scored 24 points, collected 13 rebounds, and blocked six shots, leading Hoover to a 31-4 season and All-Tournament honors.
Brown has twice been named to the ASWA 7A First Team All-State, one of only two players to do so. In the 2024 Nike EYBL season, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists with the Florida Rebels. Before committing to Tennessee, Brown received offers from schools such as Mississippi State, Alabama, Cincinnati, LSU, Ole Miss, Providence, UCF, and Virginia Tech, per 247Sports. He will be the 10th Alabama native to play for Tennessee, joining Cade Phillips and Lamonté Turner, who scored 1,086 points from 2016-20.
Evans, from Overtime Elite in Atlanta, is ranked among the top 80 players nationally by ESPN (No. 77), 247Sports (No. 80), and Rivals (No. 80), and among the top 11 players in Georgia. The 247Sports Composite lists him as the 75th-best player overall and 18th among small forwards.
“We’re excited to bring Amari and his family into our program,” Barnes said. “He’s a perfect fit for our style. Amari’s toughness, shooting, skill, and basketball IQ are impressive, and he stands out as a high-level defender. Above all, he’s a winner.”
Named the 2023-24 Overtime Elite Defensive Player of the Year, Evans led the City Reapers to the OTE title. He averaged 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game in the regular season and increased his scoring to 11.8 points per game in the playoffs. For the 2024-25 season, Evans is currently averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, with three 20-point performances in four games, shooting 92.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Evans chose Tennessee over Pittsburgh and Xavier and received offers from schools like Georgia, Illinois, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Providence, TCU, Texas A&M, and Villanova. He joins a legacy of five prior players from Pennsylvania, including two Pittsburgh natives, Rick Keebler and Joe Pietropola, who played at Tennessee in the 1960s.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT BROWN
Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports Director of Basketball Scouting, describes Brown as a significant physical presence thanks to his length and strength. While his offensive skills are still developing, Brown stands out as one of the most dependable frontcourt defenders in his class. His physicality and defensive intelligence make him a great fit for Tennessee, a program known for consistently ranking among the top five defenses in college basketball over recent seasons.
Paul Biancardi, ESPN Basketball Recruiting Director, highlights Brown’s impressive size, including a 7-foot wingspan and 9-foot standing reach. Brown excels at establishing and holding his position in the post, using his size to score with angles or straightforward post moves. His build and soft hands make him a strong candidate for screen-and-roll plays, and he’s capable of dribble-handoffs when facing up. Brown plays solid positional defense and competes on the boards, though consistency in this area would enhance his game. His potential is closely tied to his physical conditioning, which could unlock even greater performance. Rick Barnes has a strong track record of helping players optimize their conditioning, as seen in the development of Grant Williams under his coaching.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT EVANS
Eric Bossi, National Basketball Director at 247Sports: “Evans is the type of player Tennessee fans will appreciate. He’s tough, strong, and excels as a slashing scorer who’s also a legitimate threat from the perimeter. As a standout defender, he brings a level of intensity and passion to the court that energizes his teammates. His maturity goes beyond his age, and he’ll make an immediate impact on the culture Rick Barnes has established.”
Paul Biancardi, ESPN Basketball Recruiting Director: “Evans has a competitive, aggressive style of play. His solid, muscular build, broad shoulders, and 6-10 wingspan give him an advantage on the court. I’m impressed by his size and physical attributes, as he’s a well-rounded offensive player—scoring, cutting, and finishing in transition. His next goal is to become a more reliable shooter. While already a strong defender, his skills will continue to grow under one of the best coaches in the country, Rick Barnes. His physical traits will help sustain the winning legacy that Coach Barnes has created in Knoxville.”
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