Damon Johnson said one of the most gratifying things about playing in the Pilot Rocky Top League last summer was that people finally got to see him play in Knoxville.

Really play, that is.

"I became a little different player than I was at Tennessee the day I got out of (Kevin) O'Neill boot camp,'' said Johnson, who played for the Vols 1994-96 before embarking on a 12-year pro basketball career that has led him through two tours of Iceland and Spain. "I couldn't shoot threes here; he wouldn't let me.''

Johnson did a little bit of everything for Toyota of Knoxville last season, leading the team to the inaugural league championship and earning the Bernard King Award as the league's MVP.

Johnson, 34, returned to Knoxville from playing with his pro team in Spain a couple of weeks ago and has worked UT coach Bruce Pearl's summer basketball camps.

"I've gotten a little out of shape, but I'll be ready,'' said Johnson, who figures to be selected within the first few rounds of the PRTL draft at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Rays E.S.G. "These young guys are quicker than me, but I'm smarter.''

Intelligence and experience were the keys to Toyota's run through the league last season.

Johnson said coach Rick Campbell handed out plays at the first team meeting, and the players bought into the team mentality.

Former Vol Dane Bradshaw said Johnson was the kind of leader needed to make the plan work.

"Damon was the veteran we needed on our squad,'' Bradshaw said. "He did it all and he made everyone around him better. He was the most consistent player in the league. You could see his veteran leadership show up, even in a summer pickup league, and I'm hoping to get on his squad again this year.

Campbell has said he wishes he could have his entire team back to defend the title, alas, the players will be scrambled with new faces and names at each turn.

Tyler Smith, the PRTL's Most Outstanding Player, will be back, as will all the returning UT players with the exception of J.P. Prince, who's recovering from shoulder surgery.

League commissioner Andre Whitehead said all of UT's incoming recruits are expected to play.

Bobby Maze, the Vols' incoming junior college All-American point guard, chose to speak for himself on the matter.

"I've done what I need to do (academically) out here,'' Maze said. "You can count on me being in Knoxville to play in that league.''

Whitehead said former Maryville standout and Florida Gator Lee Humphrey and former Vol Tony Harris have informed him they will not be playing in the league.

In an example of how time flies, Maze said he had never heard of Tony Harris - a former all-SEC performer.

Courtney Pigram of East Tennessee State and Terrance Oglesby from Clemson should give Maze an eyeful with their quickness and long-range shooting abilities.

Former Vols Bradshaw, Ron Slay, Stanley Asumnu and Jordan Howell are also on the draft list and will be ready to challenge the new Tennessee players.

There will also be three high school players in the league; Jalen Steele and James Gallman from Fulton and Skylar McBee from Grainger County.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.