As was foretold in blogs past (see below), we here at Little O's Blog are now ready to deliver the information you Vol fans have long awaited: our first-hand evaluations of Tennessee signee Robert Hubbs, commit Darius Thompson, and various other in-state basketball prospects for the 2013, 2014, and 2016 recruiting classes. (Sorry, Class of 2015. Maybe next year.)

In case you're new to the blog--or in case you needed a reminder of why you should trust our evaluations--here are a few pieces of evidence that should help: Back in March 2010--yes, over 3 years ago--we informed you of a couple of prospects we found rather impressive during our annual trek to The Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University (a.k.a. MTSU) in Murfreesboro, TN, to watch the TSSAA High School Boys' State Basketball Tournament. (Whew...that was a mouthful. Need a breather...okay, let's roll.) Our first-hand evaluations of PG Chris Jones and SF Alex Poythress were first reported by Tony Basilio in his blog and later reposted and expanded here at Little O's Blog. As you probably already know, Chris Jones (Rivals, Scout, ESPN, 247, MaxPreps)--a former UT/Bruce Pearl signee who failed to qualify--has signed to play PG for the #1 ranked and odds-on NCAA Tourney favorite Louisville Cardinals next year after two seasons at Northwest Florida State College under Coach Steve Forbes (sound familiar?). And Alex Poythress (Rivals, Scout, ESPN, 247, MaxPreps) has recently announced that he will be returning for his sophomore season to play for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. In other words, I think we nailed those two.

And that doesn't even include our identification of such high-level prospects as Brandan Wright (North Carolina Tarheels, Dallas Mavericks), Wayne Chism (Tennessee Volunteers), Corey Brewer (Florida Gators, Denver Nuggets), Qyntel Woods (Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks), J.P. Prince (Tennessee Volunteers), and Andre Hollins (Minnesota Golden Gophers)--many of whom we spotted as underclassmen--as well as high mid-major prospects, such as Courtney Pigram (ETSU) and Justin Hare (Belmont), who led their teams to NCAA Tourney bids (and some impressive showings there. And, yes, all of these prospects were identified over our many years of watching the TSSAA Boys' Basketball Tournament. Good ball--you should check it out if you haven't before.

Now, credibility having been established, it's on to the newest crop of in-state talent. So, without further ado, I give you Wendell's (a.k.a. Big O's) assessments of the top prospects at the 2013 TSSAA High School Boys' State Basketball Tournament, based on interviews--yes, actual interviews--and first-hand, courtside viewing of every game:


TSSAA Tennessee State Basketball Tournament March 13-16, 2013 Murfreesboro, TN

They say that basketball is a tournament sport and this time of year is tournament time. It’s now that the cream rises to the top and champions are crowned. I was privileged to be on hand at MTSU’s Murphy Center to watch as the champions in three classifications of D-1 Tennessee boy’s high school basketball emerged from the eight team fields.

It is no coincidence that the championship teams were stacked with some of the best ball players in the tournament. In fact, six out of nine D-1 Mr. Basketball nominees were playing in the tourney. Among those were several college prospects, some of whom have already signed college scholarships.

Let’s take a look at who, in my opinion, were the best prospects on display. I want to look beyond the hype that accompanied these players into the week, and, along with their stats, examine some intangibles that were evident from personal observation.

I will start with AAA players and work down to single A. Here are the best from AAA:


1.Jajuan Johnson, Southwind High in Memphis, AAA champions. 6-6 180 SG/SF SR

Season Averages:23 ppg as a junior

Tourney Stats:18 ppg, 3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field and 50% from three.

This was the best looking player on the best team in the tournament field. He is a very fluid, very confident player who moves well all over the court and can score on drives, mid-range jumpers, or threes. He is highly impressive, and, in fact, was the MVP in AAA. A four star prospect, Johnson has signed to play for Marquette, choosing them over 12 other offers including Tennessee. Expect big things from him in the future.


2.Jonathan Williams III, Souhwind High 6-9 210 PF SR

Tournament Stats:16.3 ppg, 8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. Shot 67.7% from the field and 58.3 from the line.

Williams moves well for a big man. Most of his baskets were up close, lay-ups and/or put backs. He is long and lean and will probably be a good defender at the next level as he has shot blocking ability. He is a four star who has signed with Missouri over several others including the Vols.


3.Robert Hubbs, Dyer County High, AAA runners-up. 6-5 180 SG SR

Season Averages:25.6 ppg, 7.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1 steal per game. Shot 63% from the field, 32.7% from three, and 73.4% from the line.

Tourney Stats:16.3 ppg, 8 rebounds per game. Shot 43% from the field, 20% three, and 55% from line.

Hubbs’ greatest asset is his athleticism. He is at his best when attacking the basket. Apparently because he was the tallest player on his team, he played in the post with his back to the basket a majority of the time. In that role, in spite of his superior leaping ability, he was not that effective. One reason is that he was often guarded by a taller player who was athletic as well. For example, in the Hillsboro game, his defender was Jamonte Davis, a long, lean 6-8 shot blocker. In that game Hubbs had only eleven points on 5 of 19 shooting.

In the second game against Siegal High, another good, athletic team, the real Robert Hubbs began to emerge. After starting the first half playing in the post, his coach got a clue and moved him out to the wing which allowed Hubbs to play to his strength of attacking the basket in open court situations. Even though he was doubled teamed when he got the ball, he still managed to score 29 tough points, 16 in the second half, in a 77-70 win.

Hubbs has a quiet, laid back demeanor. When he played inside, he was rather passive, did not get many touches, but did not really fight to receive the ball. When he moved outside, he became much more aggressive. He does not appear to be a great shooter, but can be a scorer. His outside shot needs to improve.

Hubbs’ season averages of 25.6 ppg, 63% from the field, 33% from three, and 73.4% from the line all exceed his tournament performance. The tourney may be a better barometer as the competition is very strong. However, the fact that he was a marked man may have created a higher level of difficulty for him to operate in tournament action. In addition, his supporting cast was not as strong as were some of the other highly ranked performers.

I believe Hubbs can be a contributor in his first year at Tennessee. But I don’t think he will be a difference maker until year two. His ceiling is high with lots of potential, so his future looks bright. I am certainly glad he chose the Vols over many high level offers, including Duke, Florida and Memphis. He is rated a five star prospect.


4.Darius Thompson, Murfreesboro Blackman High School, 6-4 175 PG/SG SR

Season Averages:16 ppg, 6.2 assists, 2.2 steals per game. Percentages: 55 field, 42 three, 75 FT line.

Tournament Stats:18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Percentages: 55 field, 25 three, 63 FT line.

What should Tennessee fans expect from this new commit? Thompson has made it clear that he wants to be a point guard, a position of great need at Tennessee. But he is not a prototypical point guard. He has a slim, rangy build and is not exceptionally quick or athletic. Nor is he a vocal leader but rather has a quiet , laid back demeanor. Although his high school coach raves about his passing ability, that trait was not particularly noticeable in the state tourney, though he did have 6 assists. It will take a lot of work and good coaching for Thompson to develop into a high level point guard. Perhaps his best chance for personal success and team contribution will be as a combo or two guard, at least initially. For in that role he can better play to his strength, his ability to shoot the ball.

Thompson has a very nice stroke and shoots a pretty ball with nice rotation. His season stats indicate that he can be an effective scorer from the outside. In his one tournament game he showed the ability to take the ball on a drive into the lane and put up a soft floater accurately. I think he, like Hubbs, has lots of potential and should be a very good player for the Vols.

On a personal note, I was able to interview two of Thompson’s classmates, one male and one female. Both were gushing in their praise of this young man as a person, student, and classmate. He will represent the Big Orange Nation well.



AA Top Talent:


1.Jalen Lindsey, CPA, AA Champions. 6-6 180 SF JR

Season Averages:20.2 ppg, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks per game. Percentages: 58 field, 32 three, 76 line

Tournament Stats: 19 ppg, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals per game. 51% field, 25% three, 79% FT

The best player on the best AA team was Jalen Lindsey, hands down. After seeing him in action, there is no question why he is so highly sought by many high level D-1 programs.

Lindsey is a smooth, lithe player, yet powerful around the basket. He has great hops which lead to some serious throw-downs. He moves very well both with and without the ball. Seems to have a high basketball I.Q. Communicates well while on the court and was heard directing team mates in their defensive assignments. Does not appear to have a good outside shot, but that may be his only weakness.

I would love to see this man in orange, but we will have to wait and see as he is a junior. He should be able to help immediately where ever he chooses to attend college.


2.Braxton Bonds, CPA, 6-1 PG JR

Tournament Stats: 5.3ppg, 4.3 assists per game 41% field

If you are looking for a true point guard, this is your man. Always looking to find an open team mate rather than his own shot. Only took 17 shots in the three tourney games, making 7. Most of those baskets were lay-ups as a result of beating his defender off the dribble.

Extremely quick and fast, which enables him to get the ball up court on the dribble against the press. In fact, a quick Memphis Mitchell team tried to pressure him in back court but none of their defenders could stay in front of him. He consistently beat them up court and made great passes or took the ball to the basket. Hard to tell about his outside shot as he only attempted one 3 pointer in the three games and I don’t have season stats. But as a primary ball handler and assist man, this young man is impressive. He needs to get stronger, as he is a bit on the skinny side. But he has a year to grow some before college as he is just a junior. This is one to watch.


3.Braxton Blackwell, CPA, 6-6 SF FR

Tourney averages:8 ppg, 8.7 rebounds per game.

For a freshman, this guy was quite impressive, both as a physical specimen and a basketball player. Well developed and mature. Made 50% of his field goal attempts, but took only 20 shots in three games. Works well within the framework of the team offense. Has a knack for being in the right place at the right time for rebounds. Maybe one of the most impressive facets of his game is his ball handling. When CPA needed to run some clock, Blackwell became one of the primary ball handlers along with Bonds. Hard to believe that this young man has three more years of high school basketball. If he continues to develop, I predict that he will be a top 50 talent in a couple of years. Definitely one to watch!



A Top Talent:


1.Desonte Bradford, Humboldt High, Single A Champions, 6-4 PG JR

Tournament Stats:18.7 ppg, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3 steals per game

Percentages: 52.6 from the field, 33.3 threes, 59 from the line.

Although he was the tallest player on the single A championship team, he was the primary point guard. And he can actually play the position very well. He was one of the most impressive players in the tournament at any level.

Bradford is a strong looking player with an athletic build, handles the ball well, and can get the ball up the court in a hurry. He makes good passes to set up team mates. He has the ability to make some high light dunks when he wants to take it to the basket. I like that he seems to be in charge of the team and makes pressure shots. He could play for any team at any level but plays on a single A team just because he lives in a small town.

When I talked to this young man he came across as a humble, polite person and referred recruiting questions to his coach. I don’t understand why he isn’t receiving more attention in recruiting unless it’s the small school syndrome. Another one to keep an eye on for future possibilities. I really like this one. Cuonzo are you listening?


2. Stephon Turner, Humboldt High, 5-9 SG/PG JR

Tourney Stats:22.7 ppg, 1.3 assists, 2 steals per game while shooting 62% from field, 64.7% from three, and 83.3% from the line.

The best pure shooter in the tourney was this guy. He has a great looking stroke. He came up huge in pressure situations, making big shots, especially from the line. At 5-9 he would probably have to be a point guard and most likely could handle that position. He is quick and strongly built. I don’t know what his ceiling is, but I do know he can shoot the lights out!


3.Alex Fountain, Wartburg Central High, 6-7 SF SR

Season Stats:24.1 ppg, 11.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 2.5 steals per game

54% from the field, 30% from three, and 80% from the line

Tournament Stats: 29.5 ppg, 8 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game

51.3% from the field, 80% from three, 81% from the free throw line.

Fountain obviously can shoot and score. But what surprised me was his athleticism. He is a true wing player as he played out on the floor on both ends of the court. Has a great looking jump shot with good rotation and is a dead eye shooter at the free throw line. I think Houston Baptist may have gotten a steal here. (Are you listening, @dafirehead?)



Our local teams did not fare well in the tournament. However, some of the players had good games.

Here are the top scorers on those local teams:

Jaylin Henderson, Oak Ridge, 15 points

Kelvin Jackson, Fulton, 18 points

Luke Shepherd, Grace, 15 points

Chuck McCall, Maryvillle, 18 points

Aaron Corum, Gibbs, 18 points and a good floor game.




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...coming soon....

...and to all a good night!