Just when Tennessee men’s basketball fans thought the Cinderella season was over, a shooting star joined the already stellar 2006 recruiting class.

Ramar Smith, a 6-foot-2, 197-pound guard out of Detroit’s Martin Luther King High School, said he’ll sign with UT on Wednesday, the first day of the spring signing period.

Smith is projected to play point guard for the Vols. He possesses the ability to dribble penetrate and create his shots off the bounce. Smith averaged 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, five assists and two steals per game last season.

Arkansas was the leader for Smith’s services prior to his official visit to Knoxville over the weekend.

"I could tell the (Tennessee) coaching staff really cared about me,’’ Smith said. "I see where I can fit in. It (point guard) is where I see myself, especially with Chris Lofton on the wing.’’

The addition of Smith caps what’s arguably the best signing class in Vols’ basketball history. The class had already ranked at the top of the SEC, and according to some services, in the nation’s top 10 prior to Smith’s announcement.

Smith is the No. 30 prospect nationally according to Rivals.com and No. 34 by HoopScoop.com. The Vols’ other blue chips:

• Duke Crews, a 6-7 forward from Virginia’s Bethel (Hampton) High that Rivals ranks No. 28 and HoopScoop has No. 14.

• Wayne Chism, a 6-8 power forward from Memphis’ Bolivar ranked No. 42 by Rivals and No. 61 by HoopScoop.

• Marques Johnson, a 6-5 combo-guard from Snider High in Fort Wayne, Ind., ranked 114 by Rivals and No. 37 by HoopScoop.

• Josh Tabb is a 6-4 combo-guard from Harmony Community prep school in Cincinnati rated No. 47 among fifth-year seniors according to HoopScoop.

Smith was recruited heavily by Michigan State before originally committing to Connecticut.

Smith started his school year at South Kent (Conn.) prep school to improve his academics, but after two days of class opted to return to Detroit. Leaving prep school led to a mutual parting of ways between Smith and the Huskies.

Arizona and Illinois jumped back into the battle for Smith’s services, as did Arkansas and Tennessee.

"I came down there (Knoxville) with an open mind and looking to get some facts,’’ Smith said. "It was really the whole weekend that convinced me, once we started going to all the events.’’

Smith said he had decided he would be a Vol by the time the Orange and White game kicked off at Neyland Stadium Saturday.

"Coach (Bruce Pearl) is a straight-up guy and he’s real with you,’’ Smith said. "That’s somebody I was looking for.’’

Smith said he’ll re-take a standardized test in June to qualify academically.

"I’ll be all right,’’ Smith said.

With Smith in the backcourt, the Vols figure to be more than all right.

"He’s almost like a man-child at the guard position," Detroit Northwestern coach Steve Hall said in a High School Sports Publication online story. "Sometimes, he makes a decision he's going to get to a certain place on the floor and there's not much you can do about it."

King coach Benny White said Smith will thrive in Pearl’s system and the Tennessee environment.

"He’ll be a better college player than he was a high school player,’’ White said. "The competition there will do that for him.’’

White said Pearl also will be impressed with Smith’s defense.

"I think that gets overlooked because of what Ramar does with the ball in his hands,’’ White said. "He also blocks shots and rebounds well.’’

On TV: Countdown to Signing Day will feature Crews as an in-studio guest at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on Fox Sports Net. Crews will discuss, among other things, his recruitment to the Vols. The show will feature a segment discussing UT’s signing class.

Numbers Game: Smith will wear No. 12, Crews No. 32, Chism No. 4 and Johnson No 3.

Tabb’s high school number, 23, is already worn by Dane Bradshaw.