Tennessee signee Ramar Smith learned Wednesday that the SAT score he posted in June has been validated by the testing agency, putting his well-publicized academic-eligibility issue to bed.

Finally, Smith said, he can get a good night’s sleep knowing he’ll be a part of the men’s basketball team this season.

"I’ve lost a lot of sleep over this,’’ said Smith, who will drive from his hometown of Detroit and arrive early today and attend classes later in the day. "It has been hard and tough. I’ve just been praying, and now I finally made it and finally have good news.’’

Smith, a 6-foot-2, 197-pound guard from Martin Luther King High School, has anxiously been waiting for his test score to be validated by the NCAA Clearinghouse since the start of July.

Smith was admitted to UT on Aug. 18, but until being cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse, he could not start classes as a scholarship student.

Smith had until Friday to enroll in classes, according to Brad Bertani, UT’s associate athletic director for compliance.

"I appreciate the university and their patience and cooperation throughout the process,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I’ve grown closer to Ramar over the summertime. He showed me a lot of character and poise. He had a lot of things to overcome. Some of it he put on himself.

"He needed a lot of work in his senior year, and he got it done. Now it’s time for him to take advantage of this opportunity.’’

Smith is projected to be the leading candidate to start at point guard for the Vols, though fellow signee Marques Johnson and returning players Dane Bradshaw and Jordan Howell are also in the mix.

Pearl said his focus is making sure Smith catches up on his academics. Classes started at UT Aug. 23.

"Right now, I’m just focused on the fact he’s a student, and get him caught up academically and get him here to work on his education,’’ Pearl said. "He’ll spend every waking hour in the Thornton Center getting caught up. I’m not even talking about basketball.’’

UT associate head coach Tony Jones, a former Detroit high school player and coach, was elated with the news.

"I’m happy for Ramar and his family,’’ said Jones, who helped put together a UT signing classes that ranked atop the SEC. "He needs to come in and be focused right from the start and make sure he gets caught up on his class work, because on the basketball court it seems to come easy for him.’’

Smith possesses the ability to dribble, penetrate and create his shots off the bounce as well as find open teammates off the drive. Smith averaged 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, five assists and two steals per game last season.

Smith played in the 19-under AAU nationals in Orlando, Fla., over the summer, averaging nearly 30 points per game over seven games.

"Yeah, I got kind of crazy,’’ Smith said with a chuckle. "I just can’t wait to get to school.’’

Smith said that had his score not been validated, he was going to attend prep school.

"I was sticking with the Vols,’’ said Smith, who originally committed to Connecticut.

Tennessee players began individual workouts with the coaching staff on Tuesday.

"I can’t wait for Ramar,’’ fellow UT signee Duke Crews said Tuesday. "We’ve known each other since we were 14. I haven’t called him because I know this is killing him and there’s not much I can say.’’