Who is Tosan Evbuonvam? – Newcastle’s first NBA star

In 2017, Tosan Evbuonvam was playing for the Newcastle Eagles u18s while attending Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. 

7 years later, the now 23-year-old would go on to make his debut in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies against Golden State on February 2.  

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Evbuonvam grew up playing a wide variety of sports, standing out in football, cricket and track and field.  

He was even part of the Newcastle United academy during his youth before taking up competitive basketball at age 14.  

He finally received some recognition after attending a training camp led by former British-Sudanese basketballer Luol Deng, before spending the next few years representing Great Britain at youth level. 

Finally, in 2019, Evbuonvam made a move to the United States, committing to Princeton College in New Jersey, where he would play basketball along with studying economics.  

After impressing during his final years at Princeton, shooting 51% field goal accuracy in the 2022-23 season, Evbuonvam declared for the NBA draft in 2023. 

Despite not being drafted, he was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies, playing for the Motor City Cruise in the G-League.  

Continuing to work hard, the 23-year-old finally got a breakthrough in the NBA, signing a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies, averaging 3.5 rebounds per game across four games.  

After being sent back to Motor City by Memphis, he signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons, eventually turning into a two-way contract.  

Evbuonvam went on to play 13 matches for the Pistons in the last two months of the season, averaging seven points per game and shooting an impressive 41.7% from three-point range.  

With the Pistons not qualifying for the NBA playoffs, he will not play again until next season, but at just 23 years old, the future is bright for Tosan Evbuonvam.