Lee happy to help present UT players

Rashard Lee was content to go about his work quietly in the Pilot Rocky Top League this season.

Lee, a 6-foot-7 forward who played at Tennessee from 1995-99, took the shots that were there while encouraging UT players to shine.

“The fans that come out are connecting to the current UT players, and they should,’’ Lee said. “It’s our job (as former UT players) to help the young guys when we can and turn them loose to score.

“They have youth on their side, and they’re all so athletic and energetic.’’

Former UT players like Lee, Damon Johnson, Dane Bradshaw and C.J. Watson practiced what they preached.

None averaged more than 24 points a game, and all played key roles with their assists and rebounds throughout the three-week season.

“You get a little older, and you know the kinds of shots you’re supposed to get,’’ Lee, 32, said. “It’s about getting to the point where you know what you can do, and you execute it.’’

Lee spent his first four years out of UT playing in France, then went on to Switzerland the next year, then back to France, then to Finland and the ABA, and he has spent the past two years playing in Switzerland.

“We’ll see what happens next,’’ he said. “We’re talking about what we want to do the upcoming season.’’

It seemed most Rocky Top teams had a veteran helping the younger players.

The HT Group, which won the league, looked to former CBA and Overseas professional Boo Jackson for its leadership.

Lee and Johnson, however, are interested in continuing to help young players and are reaching out through the Knoxville YMCA system.

“We want to work with kids on their ball-handling, shooting and overall technique,’’ said Johnson, a veteran of the Iceland Professional ranks. “We just want to improve their general overall knowledge of the game.’’

Johnson said parents and players interested can contact him at 865-456-3861, while Lee said he will respond to e-mails at rashardl@hotmail.com

Mighty Micah: East Tennessee State’s Micah Williams got everything he was looking for out of the Rocky Top League.

“I gained a lot of confidence and really learned how to finish,’’ said Williams, a junior small forward who averaged 18.8 points on .542 shooting. “I play in the Atlantic Sun, so you don’t always get to play against so many big, athletic guys like here.’’