Family atmosphere, school spirit impressed Harris

Tobias Harris, the nation's No. 1-rated power forward, had one question he wanted answered during his official visit to Tennessee.

"I asked myself, 'Could I see myself attending Tennessee if I wasn't playing basketball' " said Harris, who visited the UT campus last weekend.

"And I could see myself there. If I go to Tennessee, I'd most likely major in sports management.''

The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder out of Half Hollow Hills West High School in Dix Hills, N.Y., said he plans to make visits to Kentucky (this weekend), and to Louisville and Georgia Tech in November before picking a school.

Maryland and West Virginia were other schools to make the cut on Harris' list, but neither is set up for one of five official visits he's allowed. Harris visited Syracuse this month and said he plans to have a decision by the third weekend in November.

Tennessee, Harris said, remains high on his list after his visit with coach Bruce Pearl and players.

"I knew the coaches and players were close, but I didn't know they were that close, like a real family,'' Harris said. "They also seem to get along with everyone in the community. I noticed Coach Pearl and the players like to reach out to people. They sign a lot of autographs, and they are very approachable.''

Harris said he had a good time at UT's football game Saturday and was impressed by the school spirit.

"I've never seen that much orange in my life,'' he said.

Harris also attended one of the Vols' practices and said it was consistent with the work and teachings Pearl displayed at the UT elite basketball camp he attended in June.

"They go at it hard,'' Harris said. "Coach Pearl makes sure they compete.''

Harris said Kentucky's interest in him is relatively new.

Coach John Calipari didn't start recruiting him until the LeBron James skills academy camp in early July.

That also was the site of top-five point guard Josh Selby's infamous de-commitment from Tennessee.

The Vols have since received a verbal commitment from point guard Trae Golden (Powder Springs, Ga.), the nation's No. 55 overall point guard.

UT's other verbal commitment is from shooting guard Jordan McRae (Liberty County, Ga.), ranked No. 42 overall on the Rivals (top) 150.

The Vols have five scholarships to offer in the Class of 2010, but they could elect to sign four.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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