Tyler Smith staying with Vols : govolsxtra.com

From Giles County to a Virginia prep school, to Iowa, to Knoxville, Tyler Smith has been on the move for four years. He’s decided to stay put for a while.

Confirming Thursday that he will not pursue the NBA draft, Smith will return to the University of Tennessee basketball team for his junior year.

“It just came down to me being able to stay in a place longer than six or seven months,’’ Smith said. “I’m finally in a place where I enjoy my life.’’

Not that he wouldn’t have enjoyed being a lottery pick in the June 26 NBA draft.

Smith and UT coach Bruce Pearl said their best evaluation of Smith’s prospects left him in a questionable position as to whether he was assured of making a team.

“If you can be in the top two-thirds of the first round, anyplace in there would be a no-brainer,’’ said Pearl. “Anything less than that, you get gray.

“And as Jerry West says, it’s not getting in the league, it’s staying in the league.’’

Several mock drafts project Smith in the lower portion of the first round. By developing his game in another college season, he should enter the 2009 in a stronger position.

The 6-foot-7 Smith plans to improve his perimeter shooting and ball-handling and expects to play more away from the basket at UT in 2008-09.

“As far as the college level,’’ Pearl said, “Tyler is good enough to compete for the SEC player of the year and be a first-team All-American. These are goals he’s set forward.

“But to get drafted in a position where his success is assured, he’s got even more work to do.’’

Smith said he finalized his decision earlier this week.

At one point, he said he planned to declare himself available to be drafted but would not have forfeited his remaining college eligibility by hiring an agent.

But underclassmen continued to enter the draft — 38 so far — and Smith began to see the positives of staying at UT this summer and working on his skills.

“There’s a benefit to me just being able to work all summer on something I need to improve on and don’t have in my game yet,’’ he said.

Underclassmen have until June 16 to withdraw from the draft, as long as they haven’t signed with an agent. Until that deadline, they can work out for pro teams and attend pre-draft camps.

“Tyler would work out well,’’ Pearl said. “He would work his way up the draft. But how many spots would he need to climb to get himself in the first round where it made sense for him to come out?

“The past three years have been a whirlwind for Tyler. He’s just not been able to settle in anywhere and get in the weight room and get in the gym as he is going to now.’’

Smith’s return solidifies UT’s credentials to compete for the SEC title again, even without departed starting guards Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith.

“I told Tyler, ‘We’re going to be good without you, don’t do this for us,’ ’’ Pearl said.

“Now, can we be championship good without Tyler? It would be more difficult.’’

Smith relishes the opportunity to get minutes away from the basket at a wing, saying, “That’s what I’ll be in the NBA.’’

Pearl said the style of the 2008-09 team will be determined in summer and fall workouts, depending on how front-court and perimeter players develop.

But Smith’s presence will be a plus for everyone.

“Chris Lofton was inspirational to us the way he trained and led by example,’’ Pearl said. “Tyler Smith will be inspirational to us for the way he trains and the way he leads his life.

“Tyler will be our leader now. This is going to be his team.’’

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.