Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans says her career has rarely unfolded on her own timeline, but a mindset of staying ready has carried her from Gary, Indiana, to two WNBA championships. The 5-foot-6 guard told 8 News Now during the first episode of "Girl Talk" that consistency and self-belief have been constants since high school, where she earned McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand honors before becoming a two-time ACC Player of the Year at Louisville.
Evans entered the WNBA as a 2021 Dallas draft pick and was traded to Chicago weeks into her rookie season, an early lesson in the league's business side. "You don't work for a specific team," she said. "You can get traded at any time." She won a title with Chicago but acknowledged difficult stretches when her role did not match her capabilities, crediting sports psychologists, therapists, and preparation for helping her navigate the mental side of the game.
When Evans was traded to Las Vegas, she arrived at a franchise with championship expectations and uncertainty surrounding her knee health. She adopted the mantra "Pressure is a privilege," saying, "Everyone don't get that opportunity." Head coach Becky Hammon provided clarity with a direct style that leaves no "question marks" or "gray areas," helping Evans shift her mindset to give the team exactly what it needs each day.
Evans said her approach remains rooted in the same routine and stability that defined her early years. "Just showing up the same person every day," she said. "I always knew who I was. I didn't have to question who I was. I just had to continue to show who I was."
Sources: 8 News Now
Original reporting: 8 News Now →
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