SANTA MONICA - On this morning, two things show that Tyreke Evans isn't a Southern California kid.

There's the Kings workout gear he's wearing in Lakers country, and there's the Pittsburgh Steelers keychain. Besides those sartorial details, it's obvious Evans has settled into a Southern California lifestyle as he prepares for his third season with the Kings.

The Chester, Pa., native has rented a place in Santa Monica and made the basketball court at St. Monica Catholic High School and the Equinox Gym his main summer destinations..

Evans' basketball workouts are monitored by trainer Rob McClanaghan, while longtime trainer Lamont Peterson keeps tabs on Evans' strength and conditioning regimen.

Evans is driven more to excel after his sophomore season was plagued by nagging foot and ankle injuries. Whenever the NBA lockout ends, he plans to be ready to show a much improved game in the coming season.

"I'm anxious; I'm real anxious," Evans said. "I just want to go out there and show everybody I can play basketball, especially with the year I had last year. I hope we don't miss games so I can hurry up and get out there."

Evans planned to take his game to the next level last season. After winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2010, he spent his offseason retooling his jump shot. A consistent jumper coupled with his ability to penetrate would make Evans even tougher to defend.

But in an exhibition game Oct. 13 in Las Vegas against the Lakers, Evans injured both ankles. He also was bothered by plantar fasciitis in his left foot and eventually required a laser procedure. In all, Evans missed 24 games because of injuries.

Looking back, he said the injuries didn't allow him to display his entire game much of the season.

"Especially getting to the cup," Evans said. "I really couldn't finish like I wanted to because of the foot. It was tough for me going to the basket and not finishing like I usually finish. Just pushing off that foot, that's the foot I jump off of, so that was kind of tough."

His shooting percentage dipped from 45.8 percent as a rookie to 40.9 percent last season. After averaging 20.1 points as a rookie, he fell to 17.8 points.

Evans said his foot is 100 percent. During a recent workout, the bulky ankle braces that were part of Evans' on-court gear were absent.

He is focused on doing whatever is necessary to prevent injuries and take his game to an All-Star level.

"That's why this year we really want to nail down his conditioning and get that to 110 percent," McClanaghan said. "He's got the ability; his jumper's come a long away. I want him to go into training camp in the best shape of his life."

Evans took off only two weeks at the end of the season before returning to work. Peterson said not having the many off-court commitments that came with winning Rookie of the Year has helped.

Peterson has worked with Evans since the player was 14. He has worked with the Kings to set up a program that would help Evans concentrate on cross-training rather than heavier weights. The workouts aren't designed to keep Evans in the gym for hours.

"I sat down with (Kings strength and conditioning coach) Daniel Shapiro, and (Evans) really liked his in-season program, and it worked for him," Peterson said. "So we came up with something comprehensive to last him through September."

The next level

Evans put up numbers as a rookie that turned out to be the centerpiece of a marketing campaign.

While the quest to see if Evans could be the fourth rookie to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists made for catchy signs and slogans, it bothered Evans that some began to think he was obsessed with his statistics.

"People think by getting 20, 5 and 5, I'm happy," Evans said. "But I don't care. I just want to win. If I have six points and we win and I didn't do good, I'm happy to get the W."

Many of the Kings' struggles last season could be traced to Evans' foot problems. When Evans wasn't at his best, the Kings were rarely at their best.

Evans realizes he'll need to be more of a leader this season. Veteran point guard Beno Udrih was traded to Milwaukee in a deal that brought back swingman John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette.

"It's going to be tough without (Udrih), but I think we've got a good team. We've got some new pieces to the puzzle that are going to help us out a lot defensively and offensively."

The Kings also acquired power forward J.J. Hickson from Cleveland.

Fredette, from BYU, has generated excitement around Sacramento.

Evans said he didn't watch many of Fredette's games but saw enough to know the rookie is an accomplished shooter who also can handle the ball.

"He's a good player," Evans said. "There was a lot of hype when we got him. I look forward to playing with him. He definitely can open up a lot of things for me when I'm driving."

Even if the Kings don't make any other significant moves, the roster is drastically different.

The Kings plan to retain guard Marcus Thornton, a restricted free agent. Acquiring Hickson will help if center Samuel Dalembert leaves as a free agent.

Works on shooting motion

Evans is the Kings' most experienced player at running a team.

"Whether it's me playing the point or the two (shooting guard), I'm going to have to dictate the game more," Evans said. "Not just trying to go out there and play but find out what's best for us to win. Whether it's getting the ball to DeMarcus (Cousins) or me, maybe it's Salmons. Whoever it is, I have to try to find a way to get them the ball."

McClanaghan is still drilling Evans on his shooting, emphasizing consistency with his motion. Evans said he's much more comfortable not bringing the ball behind his head to shoot - an emphasis last year.

"With Tyreke, I really stress, 'Nothing short,' " McClanaghan said. "When he misses, he's always short. He's never long from what I've seen in the past months. I just try to stress if you're going to miss, let's be long. Let's give it a chance to go in, and to me that's a good miss."

McClanaghan is working with Evans for the third consecutive summer, and he likes the dedication Evans has shown by renting a home in Southern California.

Workout regulars include the reigning league MVP, Derrick Rose, and NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Al Horford.

McClanaghan said he is "harder" on Evans this summer because expectations are higher.

"Tyreke is starting to understand what it really is going to take to get where he needs to be," McClanaghan said. "Talent alone, he's unbelievable. Now we just need to take that talent to the next level."

Being around All-Stars has shown Evans that becoming an elite player is attainable. And he knows what he has to do to get there.

"I know I'm as good as them," Evans said. "I just know I have to work hard."

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