Evans' return from Achilles injury: one horrible night and motivation from a stranger / News - Basketnews.com

Zalgiris Kaunas guard Keenan Evans discusses his return from the Achilles injury, revealing his first thoughts after the incident, what allowed him to remain positive, and a story with the stranger that gave him extra motivation throughout the rehab process.

Credit: Zalgiris.lt | BasketNews illustration Credit Zalgiris.lt | BasketNews illustration

"Man, my season is over," was one of the first thingsKeenan Evansthought after he went down in last season's game againstFenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Keenan Evans

Team:Zalgiris KaunasPosition:PGAge:27Height:191 cmWeight:86 kgBirth place:Texas, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Evans grabbed the rebound in the early stages of the game and was preparing to start the new possession, but then he unexpectedly tripped and couldn't get back up.

No one was around Evans before he went down, and as he was holding onto his ankle area, pretty much everyone in the Zalgiris Arena, including Evans, knew.

"I kinda figured like my Achilles felt… You feel something weird. It's not painful, but you feel something different. As soon it happened, I didn't know what happened until I was lying on the floor for a little bit," Evans shared what was on his mind at that time in aninterview withBasketNews.

The initial fear was soon confirmed –Zalgiris Kaunasstar tore his Achilles, and one hour later, Evans was already in the operating room.

Yet, almost 10 months have passed, and it seems that Evans left this Achilles injury in the past already.

In the 2023-24 EuroLeague campaign, Evans averages 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 15.8 PIR per game in four appearances.

However, just like with most things, the very beginning is the hardest part, and Evans admitted that the first night was horrible.

"I think later that night [after the surgery], I couldn't sleep obviously because I was uncomfortable. My legs and the bottom of my body were numb. It just felt weird, and it was when my emotions hit.

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