Tosan Evbuomwan — The Point Forward
CBB Global — NCAA Tournament Edition
Newcastle, UK / D.O.B: 02.16 2001 / 6’8–219lbs / Princeton– Ivy League
Stat-line: 15.0pts, 6.2rbs, 4.8ast / 52.7 FG%, 31.7 3P%, 66.6 FT% — 30.7min
ROLE — BANKABLE SKILL: Versatile Tweener — Playmaking
D Matchup Versatility: 2 to 4 spots / Swing Factor: 3pt-ball + Jump shot
It’s March and Princeton is back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. Great news for the Ivy League champions and for Tosan Evbuomwan, who just powered the Tigers to the win in the Ivy Madness Championship against Yale last weekend. As complete a performance as you’ll find in the last Championship Week but not a surprise anymore, given that the senior wing has become a genuine offensive motor for the last couple of seasons, and earned almost every award available in the Ivy League in the process.
What’s to like about Tosan? Everything, starting with his physical profile. At 6’8 Evbuomwan combines positional size, length and an athletic package that allows him to stay in front of his man, cover ground and execute defensive rotations, or fight on the boards with a reliable second jump. The British youth international is a natural in the open floor and fits the description of (small) ‘rim-runner’ with a knack for the grab-and-go too. In addition, Tosan is extremely productive in half court offense, especially in ISO plays (3.97pts per night by InStat) when he challenges his defender with his handle, fluidity and body control. Tosan can also turn his dribble into a post up, or simply go to work on the low-block after an entry pass (1.11 PPPP). He’s dangerous as well in the catch-and-drive with a head of steam, beating bigger guys in space and overpowering smaller ones at the rim. Impressively enough, Tosan gets to his spots on the back of his high-level self-creation tools. Hesitation and light feet to take advantage of angles, crafty back-to-the basket moves to recognize how his defender is guarding him, strength to draw and absorb contact, and touch with either hand in the paint stand out as the keystones of his game.
Evbuomwan’s offensive prowess goes beyond these, though, since the most distinctive weapon in his skill set is the ability to bring others into play. Being the best passer in the Ivy League at 6’8 for two consecutive seasons means something. First, that Tosan is a reliable advantage-creator with rock in his hands for his teammates. Second, that he can tear apart mid major defenses (Princeton has had a #183 strength of schedule and 2–3 record in Quads 1+2) with ease. Whether he’s at the nail or establishes position down low, Evbuomwan’s playmaking can go from the ‘wow’ factor with some unexpected kickout or incredible jump-pass to more simple but effective reads off the dribble or with his feet set. On the whole, Tosan is an instinctive all-around facilitator that exploits his gravity in the lane and he has earned the freedom to call plays on the fly.
Tosan’s usage (31.8 to 28.6) and ATO ratio (2.04 to 1.55) have dipped this season as a direct consequence of spending the bulk of his minutes alongside 6’8–240lbs Keeshawn Kellman. Kellman is a classic play-finisher that stays on the dunker spot and crashes the glass providing a bulky presence inside. However, Princeton’s spacing is not the same it was in the 21–22 season when the Tigers used to go for 5–0 sets with Evbuomwan feasting on mismatches. Nevertheless, this present role bodes well with Tosan’s player profile and his future expectations. The Ivy League is a unique brand of hoops in which he’s thrived running offense as small-five, but such archetype is unlikely to fully translate to the pros or even to a High Major league if the Brit chooses to continue his college basketball career after three years in the Jadwin Gymnasium.
Being a point-forward with the athleticism, vision and two-way upside already on his backpack, it’s kind of easy to guess Tosan’s new horizons in terms of player development: shooting the three. He’s made 9/29 triples for the year, a rather improvable clip and volume. If he can just get the corner-three falling at some-35% rate, that unlocks a whole new level for his offense. He could frighten defenses and draw hard closeouts, opening even more the lane for his bounce. On the same note, he could fit as second-side initiator in almost any roster with a fully functional jump-shot, being able to share the spotlight with more dominant ball-guards. Less touches and reps on the ball are not a bad thing, since they are meant to increase Tosan’s impact on off-motion plays and his overall activity as DHO operator, ball screener and roller. Intriguing challenge ahead for Evbuomwan’s outlier profile.
The wild nature of the NCAA Tournament comes to mind when taking a look at Princeton’s matchup against Arizona in the Round of 64. The Tigers have most certainly been under-seeded at #15 by the committee, and as a result, is hard to imagine a most difficult rival to start the Dance. Despite lining up its own plus 6'6 triple-post (Evbuomwan, Keeshaw and the freshman Caden Pierce), Princeton hasn’t faced a frontcourt like Arizona’s in the whole season. The Wildcats are loaded inside with three international young players; Azuolas Tubelis, Oumar Ballo and Henri Veesar. There’s too much size, muscle, post options, defensive chops and even some range to deal with. In addition, they could throw Pelle Larsson at the four if they think Evbuomwan can somehow hurt their big boys facing up. It won’t be easy, and Princeton will need a fantastic shooting night from behind the arc and multiple defensive counters to keep things tight. Expect Mitch Henderson to work with a zonal defenses and full court press to suffocate Arizona’s guards and slow down their efficient offense.
The NCAA Tournament is a worthy reward for Princeton’s season and a great way for Tosan Evbuomwan to end this college chapter wearing the Ivy school jersey. His growth and evolution each year has been nothing short of terrific, and just imagine where he could be if the Ivy League hadn’t cancelled the 20–21 season. Never mind, Tosan has the chance to play somewhere as graduate student now, and he surely will be one of the most coveted names in the transfer portal. A former Ivy League POY that brings versatility on both ends, high IQ on the ball, elite passing and a glue guy approach? Yes please. As a fan of Tosan from his early days balling in the English EABL and with the British youth teams, I’m excited to see what route he takes and where his hard work and talent takes him in the close future. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet and enjoy the Madness of March first.
Let’s dance.
*Post Draft Announcement update for IvyHoopsOnline, March 31st 2023 https://ivyhoopsonline.com/2023/03/31/tosan-evbuomwan-declares-for-nba-draft-the-way-forward-for-the-point-forward/
