FORMER NBA star Reggie Evans grew up so poor, he was often forced to have cereal for dinner because there was nothing else to eat.

There were even times when family members would steal food from the Evans’ family freezer to sell it and buy drugs with the cash.

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Reggie Evans had a 14-year career in the NBACredit: Getty

Evans with young fans at his foundation’s softball gameCredit: Twitter/ Paul Chestnutt

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Evans speaks to Big3 co-founder Ice CubeCredit: Getty
Growing up in the housing projects of Pensacola, Florida, a life of crime seemed on the cards, with many of his relatives taking drugs and selling them on the streets.

It was the toughest of childhoods.

“[My childhood] was difficult in that you may have to eat cereal for dinner, or eggs because you just have eggs and a loaf of bread in the house,” Evans told The U.S. Sun.

“Or certain family members may come in and steal steaks or pork chops out of the freezer and sell it because they are on drugs.

“The temptation of your family members being on drugs, your friends on drugs and you’re around it so much…is just so high and you have to be mentally strong to not use it – or not sell it also.

“My mom broke it down and said you may not be able to get certain things for Christmas or a certain thing for your birthday, but I will pay the rent and I will pay the light bill, that I can promise you.”

Despite being unrecruited, undrafted and under-sized, basketball would prove the means for Evans to escape Pensacola.

After transferring from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas to the University of Iowa, the six-foot-eight Evans picked up a reputation as a fierce rebounder.

It led to a 14-year career in the NBA which took in stops at the Seattle SuperSonics, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers.

In a real rags-to-riches tale, Evans was able to earn over $32million in this time.

Now 43, Evans has not forgotten his roots and he has made it his life’s mission to give back to those in need in his home town of Pensacola.

Through the Reggie Evans Foundation, he has created his own recreational basketball league and has established a number of AAU teams.

Every Thanksgiving, Evans gives out turkeys to families in need, while in the summer there is a free cookout for Pensacola residents.

Meanwhile, his annual charity softball game brings a host of celebrities to Pensacola, a city that has been long starved of any stardust.

In 2015, he was given the key to the city by the local mayor for his charitable efforts.

“It’s always good to give back to the least fortunate. It’s something that’s going to do forever,” Evans says.

“I just want to make sure that I am more hands-on with my people to give back and give knowledge back to the boys and girls, doing basketball with them because that’s my strength.”

Over the years, Evans has become a real estate entrepreneur, with a host of rental apartment units in Alabama, California and Ohio.

Now he is looking to start up a tiny-home community to help those priced out of their homes.

“With the cost of living so much right now I think if I can tap into [tiny homes] I think it would be able to help people out whose rent is going to be sky-high,” he says.

“If I did tiny homes they would be more affordable and stuff and I’m trying to cater to my people who are struggling right now.”

Evans is continuing to play basketball in Ice Cube’s Big3 league, which can be viewed in Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand on digital streaming service FITE.

“It’s been great because I’m the type of guy who likes to work out from a health standpoint,” he says.

“To have another opportunity to play in the States, and be on TV and play with my brothers and to let my kids be around the brotherhood that’s been perfect.”