Extra! Smith unveiled

Smith, a 6-foot-7 forward in the Pilot Rocky Top League, showed the opening-night standing-room-only crowd Monday just how much he brings to the Vols.

After the game, Smith told how he ended up at Hargrave Military Academy and Iowa after signing with UT.

That history, however, grew increasingly less significant with each of Smith's breathtaking plays.

Smith showed his scoring versatility with a rebound and put-back basket, a high-flying dunk and a 3-point shot -- all in the first four minutes of play.

By the end of the News Sentinel team's 107-102 victory over the HT Group, what began as a night of curiosity for summer league fans had turned into a fresh wave of optimism for the Vols' upcoming season.

Smith turned out 33 points and 10 rebounds with Duke Crews guarding him most of the night.

"You don't want to hype anyone before they even come in and do anything,'' former UT player Dane Bradshaw said. "But with Tyler, it's different. He's not a kid right out of high school; he's played the game at this level.

"The excitement of Tennessee basketball will be taken to another level if he's declared eligible.''

Vols' coach Bruce Pearl paid Smith a compliment that only UT fans can fully appreciate.

"Tyler has a lot of Dane Bradshaw in him, he's just bigger, stronger and a little more gifted,'' Pearl said. "He has those intangibles. He's unselfish, he has a high basketball IQ, and what I like about him is he's a physical defender.''

Smith, who as a true freshman led the Hawkeyes in rebounding and steals and ranked second in assists and scoring (14.8 points per game) last season, has filed a hardship appeal with the NCAA requesting immediate eligibility. Smith's father, Billy, is suffering from lung cancer, and his soon-to-be 1-year-old son lives in Pulaski, Tenn.

The decision is expected within the next few weeks.

"I wanted to see my dad, and I wanted my son, Amare, to be able to see me,'' Tyler Smith said. "I've already sacrificed a lot, not seeing my son's first Halloween, his first steps and his first Christmas.''

The word "sacrifice'' holds such significant meaning to Smith that he has it tattooed across the front of his throat.

Smith signed with UT in November of his senior year at Giles County High School, but when former Vols' coach Buzz Peterson was fired, he asked to be released from his letter of intent.

"Tennessee is where I wanted to be ever since I was young, and after I signed we were going to try to get a couple more players, like Jamont (Gordon) before he went to Mississippi State,'' Smith said. "But then Coach Peterson got fired, and when Coach Pearl came in, I didn't know much about him.

"Me being young, I thought it was all about the relationship with coaches, and it seemed too soon to just say I was coming to Tennessee.''

Smith's career detoured to Hargrave Military Academy for a season before he moved on to Iowa.

Midway through last season Smith learned his father's cancer had worsened. Hearing Amare's coos and cries over the phone further tugged at his heart.

"That's when I started thinking about it (a transfer),'' Smith said. "When I was finally able to call Coach Pearl, I said, 'Coach, you don't even have to recruit me. I know Tennessee is where I want to be, and it's the right time.''

Pearl said he understood Smith's situation.

"This is where Tyler belongs,'' Pearl said. "And this summer league is good for Tyler, because it lets him feel the love from the fans a lot sooner.''

Smith was among the final News Sentinel players to leave the Bearden gym Monday, graciously accepting compliments from fans and signing autographs at every turn.

"If I get to play this season, we'll compete for a national championship,'' Smith said. "If I don't play this season, we'll compete for a national championship.

"This is where I'm supposed to be.''