Dana Evans is around the right people at the right time and doing the right thing. The Chicago Sky starting point guard is juggling what it means to lead one of the most talked-about teams in the WNBA while also coming into her own identity off the court.
Since age 10, the WNBA champion has known the player she is on the court but wanted to find a way to display her style while having her sneakers do the talking.
With the help of her marketing agent, Greg Jones, Evans went from camping out to buy Jordans to having any Jordans she desired delivered right to her front door. Fans can view Evans’ sneakers on the Instagram account @danaevanskicks, highlighting her footwear selections.
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Working on set for a Jordan photo shoot combines everything at the center of Evans’ passion. From the bright lights to having her selection from curated outfits and an on-site hair stylist, Evans feels like she is dreaming.
On Evans’ “Cheat Code” Tatum 2 player edition shoes, she has “find a way” engraved on the shoe’s arch, the cornerstone mantra for her life on the court and in her closet. Evans is the first woman from Gary, Indiana, to play in the McDonald’s All American game. She is the first player in ACC history to go from winning sixth Player of the Year (2019) to becoming Player of the Year twice (2020, 2021). After being drafted in 2021, Evans won a WNBA title with the Sky in her rookie season.
Being the first from her city to earn these accolades puts her in a position to lead the young Chicago team that has everybody looking. This season, expectations are high for the Sky after the organization hired WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon as coach and landed two highly touted rookies, forward Angel Reese and center Kamila Cardoso. Evans is averaging 10.4 points and 3.8 assists while assuming a leadership role on the court.
Andscape caught up with Evans on her off day in between games to discuss sneakers, style and finding success.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Growing up, how did you get Jordans that were in high demand or had a limited supply?
In middle school, I would camp out for Jordans I really wanted. I have always been a sneakerhead. In high school, I got close to someone who works at Champs. They looked out for me with all the exclusive Jordans I needed. My dad would usually be the one to go with me to camp out. I’ve always been a big fan of the Jordan 11s and any Christmas colorway. The ‘Cool Grey’ 11s were the first pair I camped out for.
With Indiana being known as a basketball state, how would you describe playing there growing up?
It was extremely competitive. I loved every second of it because I was competing against the best of the best every day. Indiana has always been talented in sports, especially basketball. It got me prepared for every level of basketball.
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When did you realize you could make a career out of playing basketball?
I started playing in the fourth grade, so the fifth grade was when I knew for sure. I got my first college letter from Valparaiso University. Getting that also made me feel like I could take this seriously and make a career out of it. Valpo is about 30 minutes from Gary, so it felt good.
Growing up in Gary, Indiana, only 40 minutes from Chicago, how does it feel to return to the same market as a professional?
I love it here. I feel like I’m at home. I’m close to all my friends, family and people I grew up with. Having them close by to support me has inspired me to want to do more and more. This season, we have a new identity. We pride ourselves on the defensive end, which feeds off our offense. Everyone on my team has a story. Everyone here has that extra motivation and that chip on their shoulder to go a little harder. We’re a gritty team, and that’s what gets us through.
Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans arrives at the arena before the game on May 18 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
“Nowadays, it’s a big thing to have a lot of shoes, switch things up and show how versatile you can be on and off the court with Jordans,” she said.
Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans wears the Jordan Luka 2 PE “The Intro,” during Game 2 against the Las Vegas Aces in the 2023 WNBA playoffs on Sept. 17, 2023, at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The colorway was inspired by her love of pink, her hometown and her family background.
David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images
What made you start chronicling the sneakers you wear on a separate Instagram page?
My marketing agent, Greg [Jones], suggested I start showcasing the shoes I wear on and off the court. Nowadays, it’s a big thing to have a lot of shoes, switch things up and show how versatile you can be on and off the court with Jordans.
How are you being intentional about enjoying all aspects of playing in the WNBA outside of the games?
I think it’s important to have a life. If you identify yourself as just an athlete or a basketball player, you’ll have no identity if things aren’t going well on the court and you’re too tied into it. You have to know how to make yourself happy by doing other things. It’s about knowing who you are and sticking to that because it gets hard basketball-wise. You’ll want to have something to fall back on and be able to go to.
With more attention on the WNBA, how do you tune out the outside noise, focus on your mental health and play the game?
It’s not easy. It’s important to know who you have in your corner. You have to know who you can fall back on when things aren’t going well. You have to know who will be able to lift you up but be honest and hold you accountable. My parents are a big part of my success. They keep me grounded and levelheaded. They’ve always told me not to get too low or too high. It’s never perfect. You have to stay positive through hard times when people make nasty comments. I lean into my faith and stay close to God, making sure that I know who I am.
What is the most exciting part to you about getting dressed?
I love how accessories change your whole outfit from basic to popping. I like adding colors and just having fun with it. I used to be ‘in the box’ when it came to dressing and was afraid to be different and try things. Now, I made sure I have different looks and not looking like anyone else. I like trying different colorways with shoes, too. In high school, I liked to dress up and wanted to tap into that.
It really cranked up when I got signed to Jordan Brand because just going into meetings with them and talking about the fashion side of things was pretty dope. I was able to see more things and learn how clothes are designed. Doing Jordan photo shoots is like a dream come true for me. I like seeing how everything comes together and the process behind it. I love everything about being there. Doing this with Jordan is a blessing because that brand has always been my go-to.
What elements do you want to explore with your upcoming player edition shoes?
I want to start adding more detail. My last ones were my college colors with a little splash of pink because I can’t ever have enough pink. I’m still trying to figure out ideas. Greg is really good at helping me with that because I’m not super-creative in that aspect, but I know I have some good stuff coming.
Alexis Davis is a former Rhoden Fellow. She loves styling suits with sneakers and can name any sneaker you show her. She quit basketball to cheer in high school but hopes the women’s basketball coverage she does now makes the sport forgive her for going to the other side of the sideline.
