UT still waiting on Smith
By Gentry Estes Staff Writer
KNOXVILLE Right now, only one thing is certain for the top-rated basketball prospect in Tennessees latest signing class.
Ramar Smiths grades and test scores are at the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Problem is, UT still isnt sure if Smith will be cleared, red-flagged or ultimately admitted to school this fall. His status remains cloudy with the consensus right now that it could go either way.
Smith still hasnt enrolled at UT, according to the registrars office. The Volunteers had hoped to bring in Smith, a possible frontrunner for the starting point guard spot, in time to begin summer classes with other members of the highly rated "Fab Five" class signed by coach Bruce Pearl in the past year.
Apparently, Smiths final attempt at the SAT was a successful one, but thats not the lone hurdle in his becoming academically eligible. The Clearinghouse could flag or challenge Smiths score if it jumped too high. Or since Smith attended more than one high school, the Southeastern Conference likely would invoke a new rule that allows for a review of his transcript should he be deemed eligible.
Another potential problem involves Smiths initial commitment to Connecticut, which claimed to withdraw its scholarship offer after Smith chose not to attend a prep school in New England. Reports at that time indicated the Huskies didnt think Smith would qualify by staying at Martin Luther King High in Detroit, which he did. At the same time, Smiths high school coach Benny White said before the end of the school year that his players grades were strong enough to qualify.
"Core-wise, hes fine," White said. "He just has to pass that test."
Passleys status on hold
Pearl dismissed reports he has officially reinstated suspended forward Tony Passley to the team, again saying the decision could come soon.
Passley has been suspended since March 5, when he and teammate Jordan Smith, a walkon, were arrested by Knoxville police. Police allegedly found approximately 15.2 grams of crack cocaine was found in the door of Smiths car and a small amount of marijuana was discovered in Passleys pocket.
On May 16, Passley pled guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana charge, receiving a years probation and no jail time. The felony cocaine charge against him was dropped. "Im just happy its over," Passley said after the hearing. "I can move on with my life and focus on school and basketball."
Starting center Major Wingate remains suspended along with Passley. Both are expected back on the team by next season.
Tabb out of action
Signee Josh Tabb has a broken wrist that will keep him off the court until to the start of practice in October.
"I dont know if he came to us with it or he did it here," said Pearl, who is currently on the road recruiting. "I do know its his right wrist. Hes lefthanded, so its not his shooting hand."
A 6-foot-4 guard from Carbondale, Ill., Tabb was the lowest-rated signee in the Vols latest class. He spent the past season at Harmony Community School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Watson gets a chance
Former Vols point guard C.J. Watson will participate with the San Antonio Spurs summer league team at the Rocky Mountain Revue beginning Friday in Salt Lake City. Watson hopes to impress the Spurs or another NBA team enough to earn a free agent deal for the 2006-07 season.
Pearl said he was surprised Watson wasnt taken during last months NBA draft.
"I thought there were a few guys taken I would have taken C.J. ahead of," Pearl said. "The NBA has talked about the fact theres not enough skills. If I only recruited athleticism and the NBA is only drafting athleticism, then you have the skill kids on the board and C.J. was one of them."
Forward Andre Patterson is trying to catch on with a club in Europe, according to Pearl. Stanley Asumnu will remain at UT to work toward a one-year stint with the Vols football team.
Yarbrough update
Cleveland native and former UT star Vincent Yarbrough is playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves summer league team in the hopes of earning an NBA contract. Yarbrough was drafted in 2002 by the Denver Nuggets. He played one season in the NBA before heading to Europe.
