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How ex-Colorado State players like Kyan Evans, others are playing
The transfer portal era means many players you watched play for your favorite team are still playing elsewhere in the college basketball world.
That's true for Colorado State men's basketball fans, as a number of former Rams are still playing college ball.
The list includes some headliners who helped the Rams win a game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Here is a look at how former Rams who are still playing college basketball are faring with their current teams:
Kyan Evans, North Carolina
While at CSU: The point guard spent his first two college seasons as a Ram, backing up Isaiah Stevens as a freshman before taking over the starting spot as a sophomore. He started all 36 games for CSU in 2024-25, averaging 10.6 points and 3.1 assists per game. Evans shot 45% from 3-point range as a sophomore and drew national attention with six 3-pointers made in an NCAA Tournament win over Memphis.
Now: Evans transferred to North Carolina after his sophomore season for a deal reportedly worth around $2 million. Evans has played in all 31 games for the top-25 Tar Heels, starting 17 of them. He's averaging 4.2 points and 2.6 assists per game. His role has been drastically reduced late in the season. Evans hasn't started since mid-January and he is averaging 12 minutes per game since. Evans is averaging 2.2 points per game since moving to the bench and hasn't scored in double figures since Dec. 30.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Minnesota
While at CSU: The 6-foot-8 forward joined the Rams from Little Rock for the 2024-25 season. He started 29 of 36 games for the Rams, playing 21.5 minutes per game as CSU went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Crocker-Johnson averaged nine points and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Rams, while shooting 35% from 3-point range.
Now: Crocker-Johnson followed former CSU coach Niko Medved to Minnesota. Crocker-Johnson has started all 24 games he's played in and is averaging 13.4 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game. Crocker-Johnson injured a foot in February and likely won't return this season, according to the Star Tribune.
Keshawn Williams, Iona
While at CSU: The 6-foot-4 guard played at Tulsa and Northern Illinois before joining the Rams for the 2024-25 season. Williams came off the bench in all 36 games in his lone season as a Ram as CSU went to the NCAA Tournament. Williams played 13.6 minutes per game and averaged 5.1 points per game and shot 37% from 3-point range.
Now: Williams transferred to Iona for his final college basketball season. Williams had started 14 games early in the season (and played in 16) but tore his ACL in January and will be out the remainder of the season. Williams averaged 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game before his injury and was shooting 36% from 3-point range.
Jaden Steppe, Montana State
While at CSU: The 6-foot-8 forward was ranked as a four-star prospect by ESPN. He played 12 total minutes over seven games as a true freshman in 2024-25, scoring seven points.
Now: Steppe left CSU after his freshman season and transferred to Montana State. Steppe came off the bench in all 32 games as Montana State went 18-14. He played 15.7 minutes per game, averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Steppe hit 55% of his shots and 31% of his 3-pointers.
Kyle Evans, UC-Irvine
While at CSU: The 6-foot-10 forward spent two seasons (2022-24) at CSU, playing in 20 total games. He averaged two points and 1.8 rebounds per game as a Ram.
Now: Evans transferred to UC-Irvine and he's now in his second season with the Anteaters, where he's become a star. UC-Irvine won the Big West regular season title and Evans set the school and Big West single-season block record. Evans leads the nation in blocks by more than 20. He is averaging 11.9 points, a team-high 8.5 rebounds and shooting 62% from the floor.
Cam Lowe, Black Hills State
While at CSU: The 6-foot-5 guard was with the Rams as a walk-on for the 2023-24 season. He did not appear in any games and redshirted.
Now: Lowe transferred to Black Hills State, where he has been dominant in the RMAC. Lowe was named the 2025-26 RMAC Player of the Year as he's averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Lowe is shooting 41% from 3-point range. The only other Black Hills State player to ever earn that honor is Joel Scott, who transferred to CSU and led the Rams to the NCAA Tournament in 2024.
Jack Payne, University of Idaho
While at CSU: The 6-foot-6 forward was with the Rams for two seasons (2022-24). He redshirted as a true freshman and played 18 total minutes over eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2023-24.
Now: Payne transferred to Idaho and was honorable mention All-Big Sky in 2024-25 as he averaged 10.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. This season, Payne has started 22 of 31 games and is averaging 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Idaho is in the Big Sky semifinals, set to be played March 10.
Luke Murphy, Saint Martin's University
While at CSU: The guard was with the Rams for three seasons (2022-25) as a walk-on. Murphy got on the court in eight games in 2024-25, playing 14 minutes and recording three assists.
Now: Murphy transferred to Division II Saint Martin's ahead of the 2025-26 season. Murphy hasn't appeared in any games this season.
Jalen Scott, University of Dubuque
While at CSU: The 6-foot-2 guard redshirted in 2021-22, his lone season as a Ram.
Now: Scott is now at Division III University of Dubuque. He started all 24 games he played this season and was third on the team in scoring (9.3 points per game) and rebounds (4.3 per game) while leading the team in assists (5.5 per game).
Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media onΒ X,Β InstagramΒ andΒ ThreadsΒ @Kevin_LytleΒ andΒ on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How ex-Colorado State basketball players are faring on other teams
