Maurice Evans has been a key part of the union's negotiating team this offseason, but he also has finished his degree in education from the University of Texas.

“I was very proud of that,” Evans said this week. “Unfortunately, that doesn’t make as much news as the bargaining sessions, but I’ve had a great and productive summer.”

Evans left Texas after his junior season in 2001, hoping to be drafted in the first round but wound up going undrafted. 

“I know I’m a leader on and off the court and before you can commence in anything, you have to finish stages and that was the stage left open due to me continuing my NBA career,” Evans said. “Once I had a break due to this lockout, I was able to find the time.”

Evans is already thinking about his career once his playing days are done and said he established a great relationship with Atlanta Hawks General Manager Rick Sund and later Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld.