Keenan Evans Returns to Basketball After 10-Month Injury Layoff

American basketball player Keenan Evans made his return to the court on Tuesday after a 10-month absence due to a severe Achilles tendon tear. Evans, who previously played for Maccabi Tel Aviv, suffered a series of significant injuries in recent years. In May 2024, while playing for Zalgiris, he tore his patellar tendon. Despite this injury, he joined Olympiacos in the summer of 2024 and missed the entire 2024-25 season. He briefly returned in November, playing only two minutes for Olympiacos in a EuroLeague game before re-injuring his left Achilles tendon, an injury similar to one he sustained on his right leg two years prior.

This summer, while still recovering, Evans rejoined Zalgiris on a one-year contract with an option for an additional season. He was immediately loaned to the London Lions, who are competing in the EuroCup. In his first game back, a 89-83 loss to Lietkabelis, Evans played 13 minutes and scored 13 points, demonstrating his scoring ability with 2-of-4 three-pointers and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, adding one steal.

Greek media expressed excitement over his performance, calling it one of the most important games of his career, despite being a friendly match. They highlighted his efficiency, scoring at a rate of one point per minute, and noted that his performance generated significant optimism for the future and the upcoming season, given his long recovery period.