Boys basketball: Former FBA player commits to Division I program Omaha

Following a year at prep school, First Baptist Academy graduate Evan Tricker is on to Division I.

Tricker, a 2016 graduate of First Baptist, recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Nebraska Omaha. The Mavericks compete in the Summit League, which receives an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

A 6-foot-11 power forward, Tricker played a season and a half at First Baptist. Following 11 games as a junior, he averaged 9.7 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Lions in 2015-16. Tricker added 3.0 blocks per game.

After graduating, Tricker played a postgraduate season at DME Academy, a prep school in Daytona. During the 2016-17 season he averaged 14.1 points and 9.0 rebounds in 24 games, including 22 points and 17 rebounds over the final 10 games of the season.

“I have always dreamed of playing NCAA Division 1 basketball for a good university that can use my skills,” Tricker said. “(Omaha) coach (Derrin) Hansen plays a fast offense that perfectly aligns with my abilities.”

Last season, Hansen’s 11th at the school, the Mavericks went 18-14 and lost by two points in the Summit League championship game.