College Commitment: Evan Otten (2023 Redmond)
At 6-foot-10, an elite rebounder with emerging offensive skills, Evan Otten Evan Otten 6'10" | C Redmond | 2023 State OR certainly could have played out his senior season before making any decisions about college. But the Redmond senior saw no reason to wait. Otten already had the right offer for him both on and off the basketball court, so over Labor Day weekend the big man signed on the dotted line to join OIT and the Hustlin’ Owls.
Otten broke down the four main reasons why he chose OIT. “The engineering program (at OIT) is top of the line,” Otten said. “My family can easily watch any home games. The coaches did a fantastic job working with me and even coming to Redmond to train. (And) connections to overseas pro-level basketball.”
Obviously, Otten has connected with the basketball program and likes his future on the court. But academically, he noted that OIT has had his interest ever since his freshman and sophomore years in high school before he even emerged as a basketball prospect. In Klamath Falls, Otten will be joining a number of top in-state basketball players, including former teammate Garrett Osborne who will be starting his freshman year in 2022-23.
“Just another bonus,” Otten said. “Reuniting with G is gonna be epic.”
Before Otten joins Osborne in Klamath Falls, he has his senior season to play. A mobile big man who averaged 14.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots as a junior, shooting over 62 percent from the field, Otten trained and played travel ball with Boss Basketball where he felt he made strides with his game.
“I improved my aggressive ball play around the rim and attacking the basket,” Otten said. “And I also worked on my mid-range and three-point shot throughout the summer. As far as college ball, I’m going to be in the weight room a lot more.”
Otten has high goals for Redmond this upcoming season – one in which the Panthers will be joining a revamped Intermountain Conference that will see the Bend high schools coming back from the 6A ranks. “Any team’s goal is always to win a chip,” Otten said. “But there are many things we have to do first, one of which being league champs and securing a ticket to state. It’s going to be a challenge with Summit.”
PrepHoops Oregon would like to congratulate Otten and his family on his decision.