Tyreke Evans Shocks Villanova, Heads for Memphis

All that glitters isn't gold.


Well, Villanova and her fans were certainly gleaming with the possibility of bagging the No. 2 ranked high school basketball player in the nation and hometown hero—Tyreke Evans of American Christian Academy.

This glimmer of prideful hope that Villanova had struck gold in Evans, however, turned out to be nothing more than pyrite.

All that glitters isn't gold. And all those Wildcat hopes to acquire a player like Evans are for naught.

Taking nothing away from Memphis, their program certainly deserves highly ranked, superb players. With one of the best reputations in the nation, tons of talent, and a successful coach, Memphis has all the pull it could ask for.

In fact, the Tigers look to be challenging the reputation of college basketball powerhouse such as Duke, UNC, and Kansas.

Because of Memphis's rising reputation and increasing success, many predicted that Evans would choose Memphis over Villanova and Connecticut. Even Tyreke's hometown paper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, reported earlier this morning that there was a "90 percent shot he will go to Memphis."

Ninety percent sure seems like pretty foolproof odds. However, there was a strong hope, in fact, a strong belief, among Villanova Wildcat fans, students, alumni, and coaches that Evans would be staying close to home and playing for Jay Wright next year.

As previously reported by Bleacher Report scribe Chris D'Aniello, Tyreke Evans had quite a few motives to upset Memphis and head to Villanova. These included an Evans' family visit to the Wright home that went very well.

Tyreke, who was very close with his two brothers "Pooh" and "Doc", said that whatever choice he made, he would discuss it with his brothers before committing 100 percent. Upon questioning, his brother Julius, A.K.A. "Doc", said that he really hoped Tyreke would choose Villanova.

Julius, all that glitters isn't gold.

And that dream of Tyreke playing for the Wildcats next year may have glistened, but it sure wasn't golden.