Making the transition from high school to college can be quite intimidating for most freshmen, but being the only first-year recruit on a Division I basketball team makes it that much tougher.

Being a team’s only recruit may be rare but for freshman Kandace Evans it may be the smallest reason that she stands out on the Kohl Center floor. Evans, a Southfield, Mich. native, comes to UW having average16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists during her senior campaign. She also proved she can play some defense as well in tallying 2.6 steals and in blocking 1.7 shots per game. Evans was an Adidas Top Ten All-American and a McDonald’s All-American nominee before being nabbed as new coach Lisa Stone’s only recruit in UW’s late signing period this past May.

Evans had a lot of other options to consider before coming to UW. Though surprisingly not in the mix were Big Ten foes Michigan or Michigan State, who are not far away from her hometown.

“They just weren’t an option, nothing attracted me to those programs, ” Evans said. Evans actually had her mind set on playing basketball at Illinois State, but when the head coach was fired she was forced to reevaluate her college choices. Then the University of Wisconsin and new head coach Lisa Stone came knocking at her door and the rest is history.

“It’s a blessing and privilege to be the only freshman on the team, and I’m glad I chose to come here,” Evans said. “It was a good opportunity to come into a program with a new coach and in being her first recruit I could bring a change to the university athletic program.”

While most freshmen are at the disadvantage of not knowing the coach’s system or style of play, Evans is on an equal playing field with the rest of her teammates. The entire UW team is in the same boat as they have all had adjust to the unfamiliarity that loomed ahead before the season started. Evans has already proven her dedication to the team by getting to know her teammates over the summer in non-mandatory functions.

Evans admits being the only freshman is hard, but she is thankful for the opportunity that the coaches can provide her with more attention, whether it is going over new plays, or tips on strength and conditioning.

“Since there is only one of me, they can spend more time with me and I’m the only one they have to make sure knows the new plays,” Evans said.

Being intimidated by the college game and by teammates can be what keeps some freshmen from coming into their own during their first season. Evans, though, has already found a home on the court with the upperclassmen this season and has learned from their past experiences. In return her teammates have welcomed her with opened arms.

“I’ve learned patience and I’m open to any advice they can give me because they were here last year and they know what to expect,” Evans said.

Evans has the ability to either play the one or the two guard but was primarily recruited for her point guard abilities. With point guard Shawna Nichols now out for the season with head injuries and lack of depth on the bench, Evans will likely be called upon to deliver for UW in big games. Evans brings to the table a lot energy, defense, ball handling, and the ability to find the open player, but still thinks she can improve.

“I need to be better in every area of the game, every time I step on the court,” Evans said. Evans is more of a serious emotional leader out on the floor, but quite the opposite when in the locker room.

“If you ask my teammates I’m more goofy … in the locker room, but when I’m on the court I need to be more serious and vocal.”

Prior to playing in her first game it has been a task for Evans to adjust to the different aspects of the collegiate level and to realize the physicalness that the Big Ten Conference presents. Evans, however, may be a step ahead of other freshmen in the conference in that respect. She needed five stitches above her left eye after going up for a rebound and taking an elbow from teammate Emily Ashbaugh during a pickup game.

“I really regret I ever went down there, it’s where the post players say you should not be,” Evans said.

Besides the occasional bumps and bruises Kandace has been lucky to remain injury free throughout her career.

Evans offered some advice to players who may someday be in her shoes as an only recruit.

“Keep your head up and the best is yet to come, as long as you believe in yourself you can do anything, you can do the impossible.”