Rocky Top showcases UT hoops

No, that's not a misprint: Basketball, summer league style, has arrived compliments of the Pilot Rocky Top League that begins tonight at Bearden High School in West Knoxville.

Admission is free, and all the current UT basketball players will be there: Chris Lofton, Ramar Smith, Duke Crews, Wayne Chism, JaJuan Smith, Ryan Childress, Jordan Howell for starters

Even some incoming UT players who have yet to wear orange will be competing, including transfers J.P. Prince and Tyler Smith and signees Brian Williams and Cameron Tatum.

Want more? How about Dane Bradshaw, fresh off his successful book tour, and some UT stars of yesteryear, including Ron Slay and Vincent Yarbrough.

League commissioner Andre Whitehead said he can't wait for it to get started with games at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

"It's been a lot of hard work getting everything organized, but for the people of East Tennessee and the Vols' fans, it will be a great opportunity to see some talented players,'' Whitehead said. "Fans can expect a fast-paced atmosphere with high-scoring contests.''

Whitehead said the coaches of the six sponsored teams were carefully selected.

"I chose these coaches in particular because I know their backgrounds; high school, college or AAU,'' Whitehead said. "I know how competitive they are.''

The draft was held last Monday, and the coaches didn't disappoint. Each showed up with a plan to put together a certain type of team.

For example, the SunTrust team, coached by Carson-Newman's Kevin Feltner, went with Ramar Smith in the first round because of his penetrating and dishing ability.

But he also has Courtney Pigram from East Tennessee State, the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year, because of Pigram's ability to shoot off the wing. He added Terrence Oglesby, a Clemson signee from Bradley Central, because of Oglesby's dead-eye shooting.

"People have been calling and asking about the league games,'' Whitehead said. "I'd say people need to get there early for better seating and parking.''

Concessions will be available for fans via the Bearden Booster Club.