FOLLOW OHIO MEN’S BASKETBALL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio men’s basketball team added two to its signing class for the 2024-25 season head coach Jeff Boals announced on Thursday, Nov. 16. Ayden Evans and Jesse Burris will join Ohio for the 2024. .
“The recruiting landscape has changed and we are fortunate and excited to welcome two high character young men and two young men who will positively impact our team from the beginning,” Boals said. “Our staff has done a phenomenal job building relationships and finding young men who fit our program and university. We are thrilled to welcome these two and their families to Bobcat Nation.”
Ayden Evans
Evans comes to Ohio from Radcliff, Kentucky, where he was a captain for Elizabethtown High School from 2021 to 2024. He went to the Kentucky Elite 8 and was region runner up while at Elizabethtown. He earned All-District, All-Region and All-State honors at the high school level.
Evans played AAU basketball for the Louisville Magic and Team Phenom United.
“Ayden Evans committed to us in the middle of July during the recruiting period,” Boals said. “He is one of the highest rated recruits in Bobcat history. His skill level for his size is going to allow us great flexibility on the offensive end. His length and athleticism will give us a rim protector we haven’t had before. We are very excited to welcome Ayden and his family into Bobcat Nation.”
Outside of Basketball, Evans enjoys video games and music. He was named Student of the Month at Elizabethtown and is also a volunteer at Camp TESSA. Evans is the son of Connie and Rebecca Evans. He has three brothers, Asian, Ayre and Alex, and one sister, Argentina Woods. Evans plans to major in nutrition with hopes to play in the NBA and work in sports nutrition.
Jesse Burris
Burris is a Delaware, Ohio, native. He played basketball at Delaware Hayes High School where he was an honor and merit roll student. Burris earned All-Conference, All-District and All-State honors while at Hayes. He was also named the Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year his junior year. Burris is a four-year letter winner.
Burris played in 71 games and scored 1,181 points from his freshman to junior year. He also collected 287 assists and 605 rebounds. Off the court, Burris participated as a student section leader, volunteered at his church, worked at Buddy Basketball camp and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
“Jesse Burris is an athletic, dynamic player who can score on all three levels,” Boals said “He comes from a basketball family where his dad and brother played collegiately and his mom played softball in college.”
Burris is the son of Eric and Bobbi Burris, and has one brother, Paul. In his free time, Burris enjoys video games, movies and going to football games with his friends. He plans to major in high school education with hopes of becoming a basketball coach and teacher.
#OUohyeah