Negedu credits Pearl, UT players for picking Vols

The Commercial Appeal

Emmanuel Negedu, a recruit for the Tigers, talks to the press at the Memphis International Airport after arriving in Memphis.

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.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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