Augusta, Ga. - In two short years at Augusta University, graduate student Evan Joyner has left his mark on the program. A hard worker that is pretty low key, Joyner has overcome a couple of injuries to keep playing. But he knows the end of his playing days is near.

"Yeah, I've been thinking about it. If the opportunity to play professional ball presents itself and I like it, then maybe. But you kind of know when it's time," said Joyner.

His collegiate career actually started in Tennessee and he spent some time at North Carolina A&T before transferring to Augusta. Being a grad student, he's the "old" guy on the team and his teammates let him know it. But it's all in good fun and he's able to instill some life lessons so they can avoid them. His best advice is pretty simple.

"Go out there and be you," said Joyner. "Coach's may say things, but you have to have confidence in yourself at all times," said Joyner.

Joyner has been dealing with injuries as well that has curtailed some of his playing time. This year, in what was shaping up to be a banner year for him, started badly. He was dealing with a wrist injury and tried to play through it. But wasn't getting better so he had it looked at by the doctors. He ended up in a cast and missed the first two months. He kept a positive attitude during it all and said half the season was better than none of it.



His first game back was a big one as Joyner scored 18 points against Middle Georgia. He credits part of his success to just having fun again.

"At the end of the day, it's a game I love and you have to have fun playing it. I've been playing for my whole life, so having that taken away from me was tough. I was like, when I get back, I really have to have fun out there and do the best I can." 

Joyner comes from a basketball family. His dad was a coach so he spent plenty of time in the gym. His older brother played so there was that sibling rivalry as well. He knew Jaguar coach Dip Metress would be tough to play for, but Joyner liked being pushed and also knew it was in his best interest.

"He naturally gets the best out of you at the end of the day, and that's all he wants. He might not go about it the way people thing you should, but he's making sure you are the best you could possibly be."

Joyner is now getting his Masters in Public Administration. He's been applying and looking for a stable job, but won't forget the time he's spent with the Jaguars. His words of wisdom hold true for pretty much any athlete.

"People put a lot of pressure on themselves, which is naturally, what you want to be as an athlete," said Joyner. "But at the same time, as long as you're putting in the work, and putting in the effort, you got to be able to go there and have fun and be able to live with whatever the results might happen."