Most underrated recruit ever for our team?

#1
golfballs

golfballs

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#1
Thought I would post this in the basketball forum.

Of course Chris Lofton immediately comes to mind, but he was Mr Basketball in KY. My vote would probably be JaJuan Smith. Was a walk-on IIRC.
 
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#2
#2
Well, great points on both players mentioned, esp if Smith was a walk-on. Don't recall that, but may be true. I will throw in Bradshaw just for the case of arguement. Actually turned out to be a contributing D1, SEC player.
 
#3
#3
been a long time but I seem to remember something about JS being sick his Sr year in HS and that led to not many offers (maybe that was someone else though). I don't think it was anything about his skills. He would probably get my vote though. Dane Bradshaw was actually a pretty accomplished HS player
 
#4
#4
Bradshaw was a top-150 guy IIRC, on the lower end of that spectrum obviously. Smith walked on at UT and earned a scholarship. He would get my vote. This of course, in the modern era of say the last 30 years, where rankings of high schoolers has really taken hold. There is probably someone from the 50's or so that fits the category too, but the absence of rankings and general info from that time makes it hard to figure.
 
#6
#6
Have to agree with Golf ball on Jajuan Smith. He was indeed a walk-on. By his senior year he had ice cold water running thru his veins. Just a flat out assassin on the floor who brought it on both ends of the floor.
 
#11
#11
JaJuan in my opinion brought more to the Vols than Brandon Wharton ever did. JaJuan essentially got to walk on because he was related to Vincent Yarbrough. The kid turned out to be better than Vincent, and earned his scholly.
 
#14
#14
MothershipChip said:
JaJuan in my opinion brought more to the Vols than Brandon Wharton ever did. JaJuan essentially got to walk on because he was related to Vincent Yarbrough. The kid turned out to be better than Vincent, and earned his scholly.
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Thats just it. Wharton was best or 2nd best point guard we had had in school history behind Johnny Darden some would say who was another lowly recruited player out of South Doyle high school. Both in many opionions had been passed by C.J Watson. But I would lump all 3 in same category but for this arguement of bang for buck CJ gets thrown out as he was the Gatorade Nevada high school POY. Wharton better across the board but Darden better distributer but some of that luster gets taken away in some peoples opinion since he got many assist to Ernie & Bernie. I really liked what Jajuan brought to the table from his sophomore season on. His freshman season was what you would expect from an underachieving coach in Peterson and his own shot selection and lack of makes.
 
#17
#17
JaJuan. He was a walk on, and, in my opinion, turned out to be a much better all around player than Lofton. Bradshaw was a runner-up for Mr. Basketball behind Humphrey. Peterson just decided on him instead of Humphrey. Hindsight in overall performance, that was a wrong choice.
 
#19
#19
Gary Carter. Probably better known as a football player than a basketball player in high school. Spring afterthought signee in DeVoe's first year. Started from the first day of practice his freshman year and was the toughest so and so on the team his whole time there. One of the most complete guards - Offense/Defense/Effort - to play in Knoxville.
 
#21
#21
whobethis16 said:
Bradshaw was a runner-up for Mr. Basketball behind Humphrey. Peterson just decided on him instead of Humphrey. Hindsight in overall performance, that was a wrong choice.
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Very debatable. Humphrey didnt have any game outside spotup shooter. He was left wide open because teams focused on Noah, Horford, Brewer & Green. Humphrey was one of worst defenders in SEC. He couldnt stay in front of anyone. Bradshaw wasnt great at any category but wasnt terrible at anything except perimeter shooting.
 
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