Photo by Britney McIntosh
Emmanuel Negedu, a recruit for the Tigers, talks to the press at the Memphis International Airport after arriving in Memphis.
Gonzaga, Memphis dates set
-News Sentinel staff
The dates of two of Tennessee's biggest non-conference home basketball games have been finalized. The Vols will play Gonzaga on Jan. 7 on ESPN and Memphis on Jan. 24 on CBS. Game times have not been announced. UT already has scheduled a game at Kansas on Dec. 20. The Vols also are participating in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando over the Thanksgiving holiday period, where the eight-team field includes national powers Georgetown, Michigan State, Maryland and Gonzaga, as well as Oklahoma State, Siena and Wichita State.
Emmanuel Negedu liked coach Bruce Pearl and the Tennessee players so much that he’s decided to become a Vol.
Negedu, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound power forward from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, called the News Sentinel Tuesday to announce his decision.
“I’ve decided to go to the University of Tennessee,’’ said Negedu, who’s rated 40th overall in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com and is ranked 13th among power forwards. “I really like Bruce Pearl and all of the players get along so well.’’
Negedu, who also visited Indiana, Georgia Tech and Memphis in the past week, will enroll in the second term of summer classes at UT, which begin July 7.
“It was hard to pick a school,’’ said Negedu, who was in Knoxville last Tuesday and Wednesday. “But I liked Knoxville; the people are very nice. Tennessee is a great school academically and basketball-wise.’’
Negedu’s decision caught some off-guard; Memphis was thought to have an advantage because of Negedu’s relationship with new assistant Josh Pastner, who was at Arizona when Negedu signed with the Wildcats in November.
But the Vols had recruited Negedu prior to his signing with Arizona and re-established the relationship when he re-opened his recruitment. Negedu requested and received a release from the Wildcats after Arizona made staff changes.
Negedu, a native of Nigeria, didn’t begin playing organized basketball until he was 15 years old. He was discovered at the NBA-sponsored “Basketball Without Borders’’ camp in Africa.
That led to a scholarship to Brewster Academy, which plays in one of the most talent-rich prep leagues in the nation.
Brewster coach Jason Smith said Negedu averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and nearly four blocks per game in the New England Prep School League. Smith said teams in the league feature no fewer than five Division I signees apiece.
Negedu’s ability to run the floor and jump stands out, Smith said, as does his footwork, a product of his soccer background.
Negedu stressed he wanted to go to a program where he can win a championship and earn playing time.
The Vols are in dire need at the power forward position, as sophomore Duke Crews left the program after the season and rising senior Ryan Childress underwent surgery Tuesday after suffering a knee injury playing pickup basketball last week.
“I was just rebounding the ball and I came down looking to pass to Scotty (Hopson),’’ Childress said Tuesday on the News Sentinel’s Sports Page radio show. “My body turned and my knee didn’t go with it.’’
Childress will likely be out until September.
J.P. Prince, a 6-foot-8 wing, is also sidelined for at least another month after undergoing shoulder surgery two weeks ago.
Prince served as Negedu’s host on his visit to UT, and Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism also spent time with him.
Renaldo Woolridge, another member of the incoming recruiting class, is a 6-8 forward but features more of a perimeter game. Woolridge, like Negedu, will enroll in the second term of summer school.
Other incoming UT signees include Hopson, a McDonald’s All-American shooting guard; Bobby Maze, a junior college All-American point guard; Phillip Jurick, a 6-10 post, and Daniel West, a two-time Michigan state high school champion point guard.
The 2008 signing class ranked No. 10 in the nation according to Rivals.com prior to the addition of Negedu.
Tennessee also has a commitment from Kenny Hall, a 6-9 forward in the Class of 2009 out of Stone Mountain, Ga.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee Lady Vols 60, South…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 180
TopTenn writes:
Welcome to the Vols Negedu.
b_neas writes:
welcome! Hope you can help us lift our first NC mens basketball banner at TBA. It is becoming well within reach now!
mattlock writes:
So much for us never being able to go head to head with Msmphis for a top recruit. . .wait, I bet Memphis really didn't want him or need him. . .that will be the first post we see from them.
mattlock writes:
Nope, I wasn't trying to be clever with the whole Msmphis thing. . .just hit the s instead of the e on the keyboard. . .so what, you get the idea :)
ETNTigerFan writes:
Well he wasn't really that good...kidding! Congrats to the Vols. I think you've got a great player.
Vol13 writes:
Boys, this is what Big-Time recruiting looks like at UT. Football staff - please take note.
Thankee Bruce!!!
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
I thought he was going to Memphis. I was wrong. In this case, I don't mind being wrong.
Just thought you'd want to read the original post.
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/e...
VOLS85 writes:
ETTNTiger,
thank you for being a civil human being, unlike some of the others on this site that are trying to make your university look bad. Good luck this season and Go Vols
LongtimeVol writes:
It just keeps getting better and better with Bruce Pearl. The best thing to happen to Tennessee in many years. Can't wait for basketball season to begin because this will be an exciting team to watch.
bobbarbilly writes:
Welcome to Tennessee Emmanuel.
thesavageorange writes:
I like the chemistry Bruce has continued building w/ and beetween the players.Bruce was a big reason the football team landed E.J. Abrams-Ward for the 08' class, and I think he is our trump card in landing Marlon Brown in 09'.
VenomousVol writes:
DAMN! That Pearl boy got it going on!
ETNTigerFan writes:
VOLS85: I don't mind. I just wish some UT fans would return the favor.
Volunatic writes:
Didn't that whiny Memphis fan who always posts here say that Negedu was going to sign with Coach Cal?
Volunatic writes:
ETNTigerFan-- I wasn't referring to you-- I was referring the "Overrated" guy.
volguy writes:
Which whiny Memphis fan??
utvol008 writes:
WOW - way to go Bruce!
vscebail#247785 writes:
Never thought I'd see the day that I was this excited about Tennessee men's basketball IN JUNE!!!
Coach Pearl has turned this program on it's ear - in the best way! Great to know there is still life after Crewes and Smith screwed up.
Now here's hoping that Coach Dave Clawson can give us a shot in the arm in our Football program and its a marvelous year had by all.
Pat never fails to make the Ladies show up.
GO VOLS!
VOLS85 writes:
Tigerfan,
If you look at the CA you will see I posted earlier today on the Dozier/Roburt article...have a gander
thesavageorange writes:
brownsvillevol, Right on point.
vscebail ,Absolutely.
cjraney writes:
Hail yeah. Go Vols.
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
What's this board/world coming to? First we have a really nice Gator coming on here regularly, and now a nice M.Tiger??? Awesome!! ETNTigerFan, we do have a lot of nice, well-mannered fans, it's just that the loud ones are usually not. It'll be fun to go head-2-head with you all again soon. It's fun to help you all make Tennessee a great basketball state!
Go Vols! pj
volguy writes:
Commercial appeal posters (Tiger High "fans") already saying that Negedu wouldn't have played much & they didn't need him since Dozier is coming back. What a bunch of losers.
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
ETNTigerFan, always in favor of civility. Glad you're bringing class to the discussion.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
The term "whiny Memphis fan" is both repetitious and redundant.
Although ETNTigerFan seems to be an exception.
BOJ
RockyTopRK writes:
Is there a better recruiter anywhere in college basketball than Bruce Pearl? I can see the day where Tennessee basketball is played at The Summitt in Bruce Pearl Arena!!
volboy81#211803 writes:
looks like its UTs week! This is from USAToday:
Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer is the dean of SEC coaches, and lately he has been taking everybody to school on the recruiting front.
The Vols easily were the nation's hottest team in the past week, picking up five commitments — including a monster pledge from four-star all-purpose back Jarvis Giles of Tampa Gaither. Giles ranks as the nation's No. 2 all-purpose back and the No. 103 player overall.
"They are like one big happy family and everyone is so friendly," Giles said. "People walk up to you and ask, 'How are you doing?' They come up out of the blue. It's a small community and it's like a close-knit family. This is the best fit for me. I have never seen anything like this. It's wonderful."
The Vols also picked up two three-star players in athlete Nyshier Oliver from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep and guard Kevin Revis of Evensville (Tenn.) Rhea County. Throw in Olive Branch (Miss.) High offensive tackle Aubrey Phillips and lineman JerQuari Schofield, and it has been a wild week for the Vols.
When you add in the players who already had committed — including Je'Ron Stokes, the nation's No. 11 receiver, and Damien Thigpen, the nation's No. 29 athlete — the Vols' class really is starting to shape up.
drm1958 writes:
Congrats to the civil vol fans. As a tiger fan, from what I seen, I think Negedu will turn out to be your best player and most consistant player.
I hate we lost him because he is a BALLER!
VenomousVol writes:
LazhilUT
Are you out of your freakin mind??? Pearl has brought this program back from the dead. Oh hell never mind, that post makes it obvious that you are too stupid to have a discussion with.
OrangeCrush writes:
Slam dunk by Bruce and the assistant coaches! Maybe Bruce needs to be on the Vice Presidential ticket for either party!!!
(Sorry about that, I guess I got caught up in the moment)
thebadsamaritan writes:
Congrats on signing Negedu. We did want him at UofM - no need to try and spin it. I'm a season ticket holder at UofM and will scrounge for tickets for the game at TB Arena this upcoming season.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
I said at this time last year that this basketball team next year is the most loaded UT team in basketball history. I never though after losing lofton and jujuan that I would be saying the same thing this year. Unbelievable job of recruiting by Pearl this offseason, this team will be young(except for t.smith,chism, and maybe childress), but this team is going to be huge, way different in size and style from a year ago. We might even have a defensive force in Jurick down low which we were missing last year. Would be nice to have a solid rebounder too. It's official, im excited.
dcvol63 writes:
It just keeps getting better and better for the basketball vols!
We are going to be loaded the next couple of years. If we can find a couple of shooters to replace the all-world tandem of Lofton & Smith, we'll be a really tough out in next year's NCAA tourney.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Welcome to the team, Mr. Negedu.
For those of you who don't like criticism levied at the football team, please remember one thing: when recruits (in any sport) see players working hard, leaving everything on the court, coaches enthusiastic about their team, and not hiding behind excuses for games lost, good things happen.
Great job, Coach Pearl. If there's one thing I respect about you the most it is that when we lose games you don't make excuses.
navyvolinva writes:
You have got to be kidding me!!!! This is large!! The recruits can see the light at the tunnel and that light is a championship!!! BP are you with me!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
pass the tobasco...and the mustard, too.
munch, munch, crunch....
crow is not real tasty, but at least I can smile wihle eating it. I had this kid going to UM because of his comments.
A replacement for Duke, maybe even better??
VolGraduate writes:
very nice pick up...maybe UT is turning into a hoops school...no, it's now a football and basketball school...more the merrier
MrBamSeydu writes:
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
Best recruiting class in UT basketball history.
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
MParker, I've been eating my share of crow as well. If you grill it and throw on some bbq sauce while watching this kids highlights on Youtube, it actually tastes pretty good.
kjcross35 writes:
We're goin to be poundin the FRITTER is Basketball Year!!! Congrats Vols!!! Just pound the Fritter!
King53 writes:
the hits just keep on coming. I pick up the paper today and there are 3 articles about the basketball team...in JUNE!!! now this! Bruce Pearl is a force in the basketball world.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Welcome to the Vol Nation Emmanuel!
I can't wait to see all of you guys in action. It's official; basketball championships in the SEC must go through Rocky Top. Check your egos at the door and go be the greatest TEAM you can be.
I said it's great...
to be...
a Tennessee Vol!!!!
thatsMemphis writes:
Congrats for landing Negedu. He will be a great addition to your team next year.
Looking forward to seeing you at TBA - may the best team win!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
We are truly the Dook of the Smokies. Top ___(?) recruiting class!
Pearl, with your energy and manner, you are the bomb!
GerryOP writes:
Between seeing the new kids play last night and then this today, that wide grin that Coach Pearl has been flashing around K'town will become permanent. WOW, WOW, WOW!
Ahhhhh, volboy81 at 3:21 p.m., guess you got a bit lost and confused? Post your Coach Fulmer stuff over on the football blog.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Thanks to all the kind-natured Memphis fans. Between UT, Memphis, Vandy and Belmont, we are setting a very high standard for b-ball in the state. It doesn't get much more exciting than that!
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Yes! Four nice Tiger fans and counting...so the east and west can get along.
WVVOLFAN writes:
volboy: keep on the subject. BB and CBP deserve their own space and time now.
ghc_16 writes:
ALRIGHT!!!! GO VOLS!
BSweet writes:
Wow!! This is awesome! I can't wait for basketball season to get here! This team should be exciting to say the least. I can't wait to see all the different line ups Bruce will play. The possibilities are just mind boggling.
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