Powell High School's Lee Smith has heard the naysayers.

He probably still hears them.

They're all telling the 6-foot-6, 250-pound University of Tennessee football commitment why he shouldn't play basketball.

He contemplated their comments and then trashed them.

"Well. Yeah," said Smith on whether or not he thought about focusing on football. 'Especially with all my friends and family saying, "Why are you playing basketball? There's a chance you'll get hurt. Why don't you get stronger so you can play at UT next year?'

"But, basketball's always kept me in shape. And, it's my senior year. So, this is the last chance I'll ever get to do it. I love it, and I have fun."

After football season was over, he probably didn't have fun doing the extra conditioning coach Mike Ogan requested so Smith could get into basketball shape.

"Football shape is a lot different than basketball shape," Smith said. "You get a break after every play in football. In basketball, it's non-stop. It (the extra running) was definitely hard. But now that we've played a few games, I'm right back in it."

No kidding.

He's scoring 17.7 points per game this season to go along with 8.7 rebounds. But what's most impressive about his game is that he's averaging 4.4 assists. All his numbers mirror his output from last year.

So if he continues to score and rebound and find the open man when double-teamed, the Panthers could have a strong chance at making it to the state tournament.

"The state tournament is a long ways away," Smith said. "But, I definitely think we have a chance. Once you get there, you'll have to see the Memphis teams and all that good stuff. But, I think we could do it if we play together."

But before Smith does any of that, he must answer these 10 questions:

1. Have you always been bigger or taller than everyone?

Well, I've always been bigger. When I was younger, I was a chubby kid. So in that aspect, I've always been bigger. Growing up, I had to play a year up in football. But once I slimmed out and got taller, that's when I finally could look down at people, I guess you could say.

2. When did you first dunk a basketball?

I guess it would have had to been - I think the first time I did it was the basketball season of my freshman year.

What's it like to dunk on somebody? I'm only 5-11, so I don't know.

I mean, it definitely feels good. It's fun, but then you miss them every once and a while. So that's just as embarrassing as it is fun to do it.

3. Oak Ridge's Steve Younkin hit nine 3-pointers on you guys Tuesday night. Was that a surprise?

He has the school record up there with 10 3s in a game, so we knew he could shoot. Then when he started hitting all those 3s, there wasn't anything we could do.

Did you ever feel like giving him a good hard foul to stop the 3-point barrage?

Oh yeah. Just the football mentality in me, when a player starts going crazy like that - yeah, I definitely wanted to put him in the stands. I've done that a few times and coach (Mike) Ogan yanked me (out of the game). So, I've learned my lesson about doing that.

4. When you shaved your head, you said it was to show your dedication to the football team. When I interviewed your buddy (and Central quarterback) Zach Helton in August, he said the only reason you shaved it was because (Powell quarterback) Cody Watts gapped the back of your head, and that you had no choice but to shave it all off. Is that true?

I mean - no, that was a big lie, a big lie! Yeah, me and Zach are buddies and all. But, I kind of played a dirty trick on Cody. We won't talk about that at all, but the deal was that if I let him shave my head, then he wouldn't get me back for it. That's what really happened.

5. Will you ever grow the 'fro back?

I don't know, man. It's starting to grow a little long right now. But, I think I'm going to try to keep it trimmed up a little bit. I was looking at some pictures of myself the other day, and I don't really know if I'm feeling that anymore.

6. Is there any possibility of you playing basketball at UT?

To be honest with you, no. I love basketball. It's been my favorite sport for most of my life, until I realized, "Hey, I'd rather go out there and hit people." I don't want to say 100 percent "no." If I could go out and contribute on the floor, I guess I probably would. But I think that would be too much.

7. When you talked to coach Phillip Fulmer, did he tell you: "I think you're a heckuva football player."?

(Laughs). Oh man! I don't even know. Maybe.

He uses the word "heckuva" a lot. I just wanted to know if you've noticed.

8. Can you imagine what running through the "T" is going to feel like?

Man, I don't even know what to think about that. That has been a dream for me my whole life. I don't know. I'll probably pee down my leg.

What happens if you run out and fall down or knock over a band guy when you turn the corner?

Man, I don't care what I do running through that thing. Running through it is all that matters.

9. When you go to your first UT practice, is Jim Bob Cooter the first person you introduce yourself to?

Oh yeah. Definitely. I don't know if he's played one snap, but he's a legend.

10. Who's going to win the Heisman Trophy this weekend?

If Reggie Bush doesn't win the Heisman, I'm not even going to play college football.

Have you seen his high school highlight tape on the Internet?

No, I don't even want to watch it. It'll make me realize that I'm probably not as good as I think I am.

Jesse Smithey may be reached at smitheyj@knews.com or 865-342-6290.