Virginia’s first men’s basketball commitment for 2009-10 has come from a point guard who came to prominence this past fall as a football player.

Jontel Evans, a 5-foot-11 junior from Bethel High School in Hampton, informed UVa coach Dave Leitao on Friday that he will sign a basketball letter-of-intent with the Cavaliers.

Evans scored 15 points per game for Bethel during a 30-2 season that culminated in a trip to the Group AAA championship game.

N.C. State was among the programs that had offered football scholarships to Evans after he rushed for 1,551 yards and scored 27 TDs as a tailback for Bethel’s football team.

Evans plays for the Boo Williams AAU basketball program and received favorable reviews for his play this past weekend at the Peach Jam in Atlanta.
Marquette also had made an offer to Evans, whose defensive ability was a major consideration for UVa.