Dana Evans Bio
Dana Kiana Evans is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association and for Phantom BC. A two-time ACC Basketball Player of the Year at the University of Louisville, she was drafted by the Dallas Wings with the 13th overall pick of the 2021 WNBA draft. Standing 5 ft 6 in and competing as a point guard and shooting guard, she is also a two-time WNBA champion.
Early Life and Background
Dana Kiana Evans was born on August 1, 1998, in Gary, Indiana. She grew up in the same working-class city that produced several basketball legends and did not begin playing the game until the fourth grade. Once she picked up a basketball, however, she excelled quickly and drew early attention for her defensive instincts and competitive drive.
By the sixth grade, Evans had already received a college offer from Valparaiso head coach Keith Freeman, signaling her potential as a future Division I prospect. She attended West Side Leadership Academy in Gary, where she won three Class 4A sectional titles and averaged more than 35 points per game as a senior. She also became the first girl from Gary to play in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.
Path to Basketball
After her celebrated high school career, Evans committed to the University of Louisville as one of the top recruits in her class. She joined the Cardinals in 2017 and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2018, a strong start that set the stage for her development as a scoring guard.
As a sophomore, Evans earned ACC Sixth Player of the Year honors after averaging more than 10 points per game off the bench. The award, usually given to a reserve, hinted at the leap she was about to make in her junior and senior seasons, when she became a full-time starter and one of the most productive guards in the ACC.
Dana Evans Career
College Career (2017–2021)
Evans blossomed into a star during her junior season, when she was named the ACC Player of the Year in 2020. She became the first player in conference history to go from winning Sixth Player of the Year to Player of the Year, a remarkable rise that reflected her growing role as a primary scorer and playmaker. She added WBCA All-American and AP Second-Team All-American honors that same year.
As a senior in 2021, Evans repeated as ACC Player of the Year, making Louisville the program to claim the award in four consecutive seasons. She was also named a First-Team All-American by the AP and USBWA, and was a finalist for several national player of the year honors. She finished her Louisville career as one of the most decorated players in program history.
WNBA Career: Dallas Wings to Chicago Sky (2021–2024)
Evans was selected 13th overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2021 WNBA Draft but was traded to the Chicago Sky just days later in exchange for Shyla Heal and draft considerations. In Chicago, she settled into a role as the backup point guard behind veteran Courtney Vandersloot. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team and ended her first season as a WNBA champion when the Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury 3–1 in the Finals.
The following seasons in Chicago brought steady growth. In 2022, Evans opened the year as a starter and scored a career-high 24 points, then returned to a bench role behind Vandersloot and later Julie Allemand. In 2023, with key veterans departed, her minutes and scoring averages jumped, though Chicago was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces. She opened 2024 as the starting point guard but lost that role twelve games into the season and eventually requested a trade.
Las Vegas Aces Era (2025–Present)
On February 7, 2025, Evans was traded to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for the 16th and 22nd picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She quickly became a contributor for a championship contender and helped the Aces capture the 2025 WNBA title, becoming a two-time league champion.
Overseas Career
During the WNBA offseason, Evans has built a strong resume in European basketball. In winter 2021, she played for KSC Szekszárd in Hungary. Since the 2022–2023 season, she has competed for Beşiktaş of the Turkish Super League, where she developed into one of Europe’s top guards. During the 2023–24 EuroCup Women, she finished as the competition’s top scorer and led Beşiktaş to the finals, where the team fell 145–149 on aggregate to the London Lions.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the court, Evans is best known for her quick first step, scoring instincts, and dependable midrange jumper. As a point guard, she balances scoring with playmaking, and her experience as both a starter and a reserve has made her comfortable in a variety of offensive roles. Her competitive defensive background, dating back to her early days in Gary, remains one of her defining traits.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature achievements, Evans won back-to-back WNBA championships in 2021 with Chicago and 2025 with Las Vegas, was named to the 2021 WNBA All-Rookie Team, and was a two-time First-Team All-American in 2020 and 2021. She is also recognized as the first player in ACC history to move from Sixth Player of the Year to Player of the Year in successive seasons.
Dana Evans Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Evans’s immediate family is limited. She was raised in Gary, Indiana, and has credited her hometown and its basketball tradition as a major influence on her career. Off the court, she is a Jordan Brand athlete and designed her own player-exclusive colorway of the Jordan Tatum 2, a shoe worn by Jayson Tatum during the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. She has also been active on social media, where fans can follow her on Instagram at dana_kianaa and on X at danaaakianaaa.
2025 Season Performance
Evans’s 2025 WNBA season began with a fresh start after her February trade to the Las Vegas Aces. She stepped into a contender’s backcourt and provided steady scoring and veteran poise, helping the Aces navigate a competitive league landscape. Her familiarity with multiple offensive roles, built during her years in Chicago, allowed her to fit in quickly.
The season ended on the highest possible note, as the Aces captured the 2025 WNBA championship and Evans added a second title to her resume. Her performance through the regular season and playoffs underscored her value as a reliable two-way guard capable of contributing on a deep roster.
Beyond the WNBA, Evans was selected by Phantom BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season, an offseason league designed to give top professional players a competitive platform during the winter months. The selection extended her busy playing calendar and reflected her standing among the league’s elite guards.
