Jan. 2, 2013

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Former Runnin' Rebel Earl Evans, who played at UNLV from 1977-79 under Coach Jerry Tarkanian, passed away Monday at his home near Oklahoma City.

The Texas High School Player of the Year in 1974 attended Lincoln High School where he was a Parade All-America and was ranked as the second-best player in the nation behind Moses Malone.

The 6-8 Evans attended USC before transferring to UNLV. He played in 55 games for the Runnin' Rebels over a two-year period, averaging 16.7 points per game.

The Detroit Pistons drafted him as a "future" in the seventh round after his junior season, but he returned to UNLV and averaged 17.9 points during the 1978-79 season.

Evans went on to play one season for Detroit. Slowed by injuries, he averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in his only NBA season.