Agra High School sophomore guard Evan Cunha is already carving out a reputation as a dependable leader who lets his work ethic do most of the talking. Now in 10th grade, Cunha has embraced both the challenge of varsity basketball and the responsibility that comes with being a year-round student of the game.
Cunha describes himself as someone who enjoys “having an opportunity to lead by example and motivate others,” a mindset that fits neatly with Agra’s blue-collar identity. He spends much of his free time exactly where you would expect from a young player on the rise: getting extra time on the court, polishing his skills and building consistency through repetition.
That commitment did not develop in a vacuum. Cunha points first to his family when asked who inspires him most. “My mom and my brother,” he said. “They keep me focused on my goals and help me stay confident.” That support system has helped him handle the ups and downs that come with high school athletics, from long practices to intense road environments.
Academically, Cunha’s favorite subject is biology, and he credits teachers Mr. Fisher and Mr. Perry for making a lasting impact on his high school experience. Both, he said, go out of their way to help him with his studies while also showing up for him as a player. That combination of classroom support and sideline encouragement has reinforced the idea that his development as a student and as an athlete go hand in hand.
This season marks Cunha’s first year at Agra, but he said it did not take long for him to feel at home in the locker room. “This was my first year at Agra,” Cunha said. “I loved how quickly I was able to build a relationship with my teammates.” The quick chemistry has helped Agra’s group tighten its bond and sharpen its competitive edge.
Ask Cunha what he loves most about the program, and he immediately points to head coach Ivan McFarlin. “Coach McFarlin has really helped me grow in the game, both physically and mentally,” Cunha said. That growth shows up in the way he approaches practice, games and even film work, where he tries to see the floor the way his coach does.
Around the team, Cunha is quick to credit teammates for their roles in Agra’s personality. He names Kash Roe as the one teammate who can beat him in a game of PIG, a nod to the competitive shooting battles that unfold in practice. He points to Tevin Hutchinson as the most vocal presence and Andrew Howard as the teammate who keeps everyone laughing, giving the locker room a mix of energy and lightheartedness.
Cunha said athletics have already taught him lessons that will matter long after the final buzzer. “Discipline and consistency,” he said. “I learned that commitment matters more than motivation, and that progress comes from daily effort.” Those ideas show up on difficult road trips, especially when Agra heads into Ripley, which Cunha calls the toughest gym because of its rowdy student section.
When he looks up to the highest level of the sport, Cunha points to Kawhi Leonard as his greatest player of all time. He admires Leonard’s strong perimeter defense, tough shot-making and iconic game-winner against the 76ers in 2019 that helped send Toronto to the NBA Finals. For a young guard at Agra, it is a fitting model: quiet, efficient and relentlessly focused on doing the work that leads to winning.
