OTR Circuit Feature: Xion Evans Scores 1,000th Point for Best Academy

The OTR Circuit is home to most of the top independent clubs in the Southeast. The platform provides exposure and elite competition. These clubs boast of prospects who achieve success during high school season and beyond. This week we turn the spotlight on Xion Evans, who is a rising star with All Georgia Elite.

Here is an analysis of Evans and his milestones run to 1,000 points with the Eagles at the Business Engineering Science Tech Academy (B.E.S.T. Academy). He achieved this mark faster than any other player in school history.

The greater Atlanta area is known for its richness and depth of basketball talent. Each year there is another prospect that emerges as the must-track prospect. An early candidate for this spring’s list is Xion Evans. He is a 6-foot-3 guard who is proving to be a lethal perimeter scorer. Just this week, he notched 1,000 points to become the fastest player in school history to reach that mark. He also earned another school record by scoring 47 points in Friday’s game against Mount Paran School.

Evans has been a rising star at OTR events in recent years. He has earned praise from numerous evaluators and writers.

Joel Hillsman took note of Evans when he was a freshman playing on the All Georgia Elite (AGE) 17u team at the Rocky Top Invitational:

Evans is a 14-year-old playing up on a 17U team and having a major impact. Evans is quick off the dribble getting to the basket, plays under control and can shoot it from the perimeter. He is aggressive on defense and plays hard on both ends. As he continues to develop, Evans will be on track.

Here is what Jennifer Brazelton had to say from the OTR Super 64 Camp:

2027 Xion Evans was the youngest prospect to make my list with his ability to compete against older prospects. Evans is a confident player who finds his way to the basket and mid-range. Lots of upside with several years to develop at the high school level.

Our staff got a glimpse of Evans’ talent this fall when B.E.S.T. Academy competed at the OTR x SHR Fall Shootout at Next Play 360. Here is a staff report from September:

‘27 Xion Evans is putting on a show today. 3 behind the ball screen and a couple of dazzling finishes in traffic.

Evans’ talent has been apparent as he has climbed the ranks of travel ball and the camp circuits. His high school coach, Mario Lemons, who also doubles as his club coach, says this rise has not been an accident:

His commitment to excellence shows not only in the way he approaches basketball, but also in the discipline he brings to the classroom and his daily life. Xion consistently puts in the work—on and off the court—and his growth reflects that dedication.

Coach Lemons referenced a Kobe Bryant quote when asked about Evans, “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” Lemons added, “Evans embodies this mindset every single day.”

Lemons also credits Evans’ success to the experience he attained by playing on the 17U level since he was 12 years old:

Playing up against older, stronger, and more experienced athletes has accelerated his development, sharpened his basketball IQ, and strengthened his resilience. This experience has forced him to adapt quickly, compete fearlessly, and embrace challenges that many players don’t encounter until much later. 

The praise for Evans does not stop on the hardwood. He maintains a 3.4 GPA at his school, which is known for its challenging curriculum. Lemons references Evans’ character as the difference-maker:

He demonstrates the same discipline and effort in the classroom that he shows on the court. Xion is a young man who doesn’t make excuses—he makes progress. His combination of passion, maturity, and work ethic sets him apart and continues to open the door for great things ahead.

Watch highlights of Evans with B.E.S.T. Academy below:

Evans will be a key prospect to track on this year’s OTR Circuit with All Georgia Elite. Follow Evans’ journey on the hardwood on X (@XionEvans2027), Instagram (@xionevans_), and his team pages X (@BestEaglesMBB), and Instagram (@besteaglesmbb and @allgaelite).

 Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director, and evaluator. You can reach him at CoachHemi@gmail.com and follow him on X @CoachHemi and Instagram @Coach_Hemi.