The only place Tyler Smith heard his name called Thursday night was over Bearden's public address system.

The big money and large life of the NBA remains at least another year off for Smith, who didn't waiver after his April 24 announcement that he would return to Tennessee for his junior season.

"I'm pretty sure I could have been financially stable and enjoying that life that everyone wants,'' said Smith, who scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in HT Group's 119-96 win over Richardson Construction in the Pilot Rocky Top League.

"But I wanted to come back and work hard to improve my game and win a championship,'' said Smith, who was projected to be a late-first to early-second round pick in Thursday night's NBA draft. "I'm really enjoying my time with my new teammates.''

Smith will return to Pulaski, Tenn., this weekend to celebrate the second birthday of his son, Amare.

"That's another thing,'' Smith said, "I'm with my family, and I'm still home.''

UT junior guard Josh Tabb said Smith's return to the Vols is a big lift for the team.

"I think it makes a lot of difference,'' Tabb said. "Tyler can score, rebound and dish out assists. He's a great player who knows what it takes to win, and he competes every time he takes the floor.''

Smith's drive has led his PRTL team to a 5-0 record and a spot in Wednesday's title game.

"I'm not where I need to be yet,'' Smith said. "You'll still see a lot of the old Tyler next year, but I'm trying to improve my jump shot and my dribbling.''

Smith, at 6-foot-7, is projected to play small forward in the NBA. At UT, he used his quickness and leaping ability to win matchups at power forward last season.

Smith will still score points near the basket, but he's expected to play more on the perimeter this season as the Vols will be without 3-point marksmen Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith.

While Tyler Smith said he does not regret his decision to stay another year, he admits there are mornings he wakes up and wonders: what if?

"There are some days you say that, knowing you've got to get up every day for summer classes and workouts,'' Smith said. "But I knew that when I made my decision. I'm pretty sure I'll be up there in the top 12 or 15 next year.''

Smith said the bottom line is business.

"If you're in the top 13, you'll get at least $3 million,'' he said. "Late first round, $800,000 to $900,000, then you take taxes out, and I get myself a nice new car, and there's no money left.''

Title Tilt: Ray's ESG topped Toyota of Knoxville 114-112 to put itself in position to play HT Group for the PRTL title Wednesday.

Both Ray's and Toyota are 3-2, but Ray's can clinch the No. 2 spot with a win on Monday against Richardson Construction (1-4).

UT incoming freshman Scotty Hopson scored a game-high 38 points to lead Ray's and Bobby Maze had 35.

"Tyler and Daniel (West) have been talking trash, so I want to play them again,'' said Hopson, who also had 11 rebounds. "I'm ready; it's gonna be put up or shut up for them.''

Tony White Jr. led Toyota with 30 points, Rashard Lee had 26 and Wayne Chism added 20.

Chism won the battle of big men, holding Ray's Brian Williams to 12 points. Both UT centers had 14 rebounds.

"Wayne played as consistent start to finish as I've ever seen him play,'' Toyota of Knoxville coach Rick Campbell said. "Wayne really stepped up for us tonight and showed some leadership. I challenged him to play every minute Brian did, and then some, and he said, 'yes sir.' The credit goes to him.''

Chism said he never considered leaving UT when he submitted paperwork to the NBA Draft Advisory Committee.

"I just wanted to see what I needed to work on,'' Chism said.

Hopson said that growing up he had visions of going straight into the NBA from high school.

"But I'm glad it worked out this way,'' Hopson said. "I'm enjoying my experience here.''

Clinch: Former Halls standout Cameron Sharp hit a 3-pointer from the corner in the finals seconds to lift the News Sentinel to a 102-101 win over First Tennessee.

Damon Johnson led the Sentinel with 31 points while Zach Hyatte had 25 for First Tennessee (1-4).

The Sentinel (2-3) clinched a spot in Wednesday's 3-4 game against Ray's or Toyota of Knoxville.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.