Rashard Lee doesn't complain about the frantic pace and highly competitive nature of the Pilot Rocky Top League.
In fact, the former Tennessee Vol turned nine-year European basketball veteran couldn't have ordered it up any better.
"I like getting up and down the court; it keeps me in shape,'' said Lee, who played under Kevin O'Neill and Jerry Green 1996-99. "It's hard to find consistent play at a competitive level in the offseason.''
As for his competitive desires, Lee fits right in with fiery Toyota of Knoxville coach Rick Campbell.
"I want to win - I don't know any other joy in playing a basketball game than winning,'' Lee said. "It's why you play.''
Lee started out in last year's PRTL but suffered a knee injury in the first game and was forced to sit out the rest of the league schedule.
He recovered in time to play professionally in Geneva, Switzerland, where he has signed on to play again next season.
"I want to see how long these legs can carry me,'' Lee, 31, said. "It has been a blessing to live in other countries and do what I love to do.
"Experiencing other countries and cultures gives you more life experience, and that's valuable.''
Lee spent four years in France with four different teams and has played in Finland and Spain.
Upon returning to Knoxville the past two years, Lee couldn't help but notice how times have changed at Thompson-Boling Arena since his playing days with the Vols.
"I wish I could have played for Bruce Pearl,'' Lee said. "When I talk to the current players they all tell me how much they enjoy playing for him.
"He's firm, but he lets them play their game. When your players enjoy playing for you, you can accomplish a lot.''
Lee doesn't mind saying that wasn't necessarily the case when O'Neill was head coach.
"Looking back on it, my first two years it was a physical challenge playing in the SEC, and it wasn't easy or fun to play for Kevin O'Neill,'' Lee said. "Jerry Green came in and gave us a little more freedom and let us feel relaxed to play.
"But when I think about my time at Tennessee, I remember it as a great four years at a great school.''
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 13
ncvol writes:
Glad you have had the opportunity to explore the world and play the game. Go Vols !
King53 writes:
i always liked Rashard Lee. It seems he is a good kid with his head on straight. great to see him back in Knoxville mixing it up in the RTYL!
richvol writes:
I remember Rashard as a very good player. O'Neill continues to show what an idiot he is.
WVVOLFAN writes:
hey tigervol and workin, notice what he said about CKON? kinda goes with what i said about CTR. my way or the highway does not always work.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Who said it always works? I didn't.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Who said it always works? I didn't.
WVVOLFAN writes:
sounded to me that you had no problem with him running some kids off
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 24, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess we should be mad at Raleigh for not running Fox Den Country Club at UT anymore. I find it funny that none of our commits that haven't signed letters of intents have switched their commitments from UT since Raleigh is so hard on his players.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Again, where did I say it "always works"? I'll be waiting on your answer or lack thereof. Nice try though.
WVVOLFAN writes:
i didn't say that you said that, read my post. where did i say that you said that. i said you didn't seem to have a problem with him runnig kids off. I made the comment that "my way or the highway doesn't always work'. put your paranoia away, i'm not out to get you on anything. you don't have to be a smart azz, try having a decent conversation for once.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
My post which you provided for us mainly talked of the how "hard" Raliegh is on his players and how he's not running a Fox Den CC anymore at UT.
I really don't know how you construed that to me having no problem with CTR running kids off with his my or the highway mentality and that it always worked.
WVVOLFAN writes:
correct me if i'm wrong, but i construed your comment as i should not be concerned that he is running, IMO, some decent players off, even though his season was tanking. my concern is we have been down this road once with CKON and I hope we aren't seeing the samething happen with the BB team. I think the coach should always be captain of the ship, but in some ways, things have changed and the my way/ hway isn't always the best route. IMO
knoxvegas75 writes:
boby maze is so hard!!!
http://loserswithsocks.com/2008/06/21...
"I put on for Tennessee" - greatest freestyle lol
DandyVol writes:
I have some questions:
1) Is the Rocky Top League using the new 3pt line?
2) I see that Negedu has given a verbal commitment, but not yet signed a letter of intent. Does anyone know when the signing is expected?
Go Vols!
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