Visit to UAB makes big impact on juco target evan chatman

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 7, 2024

Evan Chatman expected to enjoy his official visit to UAB this past weekend. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, who is entering his second season at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, got more than he anticipated.

“I really loved everything I saw, honestly,” Chatman said. “I'm not just saying that. It was like, I can definitely see myself playing there. Definitely, it was better than I expected.”

When asked for specifics, Chatman mentioned the relationship he’s built with the coaches and current players before adding what some might consider a small detail.

“Honestly, it’s really simple,” Chatman said. “You can get in the (practice) gym 24 hours a day. That’s big for me. You know, doing everything you need to do, you’re just busy. You don’t have to rush to get to the gym. You can go to the gym whenever you want (for extra work). Ultimately, the decision is starting to feel easy.”

Chatman played high school basketball at Harker Heights High in Texas. He averaged 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block during his senior season. Recruiting interest was slow, so he opted to attend junior college. He calls his path a “blessing in disguise.”

He averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds during his first junior college. However, his season ended when he broke his ankle. Chatman played in just 12 of the team’s 30 games. After working his way back on the court, Chatman was invited to play in the JUCO All-American showcase in Atlanta, which is where the UAB coaches spotted him.

Chatman said several other schools are also recruiting him but UAB has moved to the front of the pack. A big part of that is the emphasis UAB head coach Andy Kennedy and his staff put on finding quality junior college players and the success that former JUCO players like Yaxel Lendeborg, Chris Coleman and Alejandro Vasquez are having at UAB.

“Yes,100 percent,” Chatman said when asked about the junior college connection at UAB. “I definitely want to go somewhere where I’m wanted and needed. I kind of play the same position that Yax plays or Chris Coleman plays. The fact that they both came for JUCO and are so successful, it helps my decision.”