Dawn Evans (2022) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Dawn Evans

Induction:
2022
Class:
2011

One of the most prolific scorers in women's basketball history at James Madison, the Colonial Athletic Association and the state of Virginia, Dawn Evans accumulated 2,667 points for an average of 21.3 points per game over four seasons with the Dukes. Both marks are JMU records and stand second in CAA history, trailing only WNBA All-Star Elena Delle Donne. Evans still ranks as the all-time record-holder for career 3-pointers in the CAA with 387 (second place is 323) while also ranking third in career free throws (578), sixth in free throw percentage (81.5%) and 10^th in assists (564). She was a key cog to a successful era under Kenny Brooks, going 100-35 in her four-year journey with CAA Championships in 2010 and 2011 to clinch NCAA Tournament spots. The 2009-10 Dukes squad spent three weeks ranked in the USA Today top-25 poll. Evans was a three-time First Team All-State and All-CAA selection and was Rookie of the Year in Virginia in 2008. For the 2009-10 season, she went on to rank fifth nationally with a school-record 24.6 points per game. Early in that season, in December of 2009, Evans was diagnosed with FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis). In the spring, she became an ambassador for The NephCure Foundation, which battles kidney diseases. She earned the prestigious John H. Randolph Inspiration Award from the CAA and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, the V Foundation Comeback Award and NCAA Woman of the Year. Her story was featured in Sports Illustrated and "The Real Winning Edge" national TV program, among others.