University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Basketball Signs Three
November 16, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2004
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee basketball coach Buzz Peterson announced today that Tyler Smith, Matthew Dotson and Damion Harris have signed national letters of intent to play basketball at the University of Tennessee beginning with the 2005-06 season.
"I am excited that these three young men have signed with us," Peterson said. "All three of these players are exceptional young men that we are happy to have as members the Tennessee family. They are all talented players that will fill several of the needs that we have on the court."
Smith, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward from Pulaski, Tenn., was selected as one of the top 10 high school players in the nation when Street & Smith's named him a second team selection on the 2004 Boys High School All-America Team. As a junior at Giles County High School the first team all-state selection averaged 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists while leading the Bobcats to the state tournament. As a sophomore he earned tournament MVP honors after leading Giles County to a state championship. Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, he was named the MVP of the all-star game at the adidas Superstar camp last summer in Atlanta.
"We've been recruiting Tyler since I've been here," Peterson said. "He is a talented athlete who has had a tremendous high school career."
Dotson, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Centerville, Tenn., is rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. He was named the Class 3A Player of the Year for Hickman County High School's district last year. A big man who has a deft outside shooting touch that extends beyond the 3-point arc, he averaged 23 points and 14.5 rebounds as a junior.
"Matthew has been under the radar," Peterson said. "He hasn't gotten as much national attention. He is a very skilled player who can really shoot the ball well."
Harris, a 6-foot-10, 275-pound center from Greenville, S.C., was a Class AAA All-State selection at Wade Hampton High School last season. As a senior in 2003-04 he led the Generals to the state tournament and as a junior he averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and 6.5 blocks in leading Wade Hampton to the Class AAA Upper State finals. He first signed with the Vols last year, but is spending the 2004-05 season playing for Prince Avenue Prep in Pickens, S.C.
"Damion will give us a strong presence in the paint," Peterson said. "He is a very hard worker who we will need to come in and compete for some playing time."
