Chalk this up to some serious longrange planning.

Tennessee basketball has its first commitment for the Class of 2008.

The Volunteers received a commitment from Cordell Passley, a 6-foot-2, high school sophomore-to-be from Pike High School in Indianapolis.

"I came down for an unofficial visit this past weekend and told them then," Passley said. "I like the SEC facilities and I've always liked Tennessee because of Allan Houston (former Vol playing in the NBA for the New York Knicks)."

History also played a role as previous family connections helped Tennessee's cause.

Anthony Passley, Cordell's older brother, was recruited by Pearl to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, but was later released from his letter-of-intent by Pearl in August 2004.

Anthony, a 6-5 small forward, attended Redland (OK) Community College this past season and has made his own unofficial visit to Tennessee.

For now, little brother is stealing the headlines.

Cordell Passley has been rated the No. 17 sophomore-to-be in the nation by collegeinsider.com.

He was the only rising ninth grader invited to attend the prestigious Nike Camp last summer.

"Coach Pearl is just a really nice person and I think he's the best coach for me because his style of game is my style," Passley said. "I made the decision on my own, and it really didn't have anything to do with Anthony."

Cordell's early decision didn't come as a shock to his mother, Sheila Passley.

"I think it's an excellent situation for Cordell," she said. "If it was anybody else besides Tennessee and coach Pearl, I would have been scratching my head.

"But they have an eye for talent and they're the cream of the crop as far as I'm concerned. I have the utmost confidence in that staff and I think they'll do everything in their power to help him grow as a young man and a player."

The UT staff is obviously staying busy after recently signing Ryan Childress out of Cincinnati Moeller to the 2005 class.

Childress was another UWM signee released from his letter of intent.

"It's just the best situation for me," Passley said. "Making the decision this early is just going to keep me focused on what I have to do the next three years."