Rick Barnes has the first commitment of his Tennessee tenure.
IMG Academy standout point guard Lamonte Turner (6-2, 180), who just re-classified from a 2016 prospect to the 2015 class, pledged to the Vols over offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Louisville, Auburn, Wichita State, Oklahoma and others.
Where will Lamonte' Turner (@2Turner_) take his basketball talents next fall? Watch and find out! #IMGFam pic.twitter.com/QQ8iKQ6Aox
— IMG Academy (@IMGAcademy) April 28, 2015
“Turner is a versatile guard, capable of playing on or off the ball,” ESPN wrote in a scouting report. “He shoots the ball very well from the three-point line, is capable of making them in bunches, and has a complimenting pull-up game and ability to attack close-outs to match. He’s got a solid and well-rounded floor game where he rarely gets rattled, plays within the flow of the offense, and is a dependable decision maker with the ball in his hands.”
The Vols have been searching for point guard help for a couple years now after Darius Thompson transferred out of the program following the departure of Cuonzo Martin after the 2013-14 season. Former coach Donnie Tyndall didn’t bring in a true PG in 2014, leaving a void at the position that Josh Richardson was able to fill last year, but a spot that is now again relatively empty following Richardson’s departure.
Turner should have an opportunity for immediate playing time. Braxton Bonds, who sat out all of 2014 after originally signing an NLI with Liberty University, is the only other true point guard on the roster at this point.
Barnes and his staff have two scholarships open in this class at this point as they perhaps look to add some post help before the 2015-16 season.
Rankings:
247Sports: ★★★
ESPN: ★★★★
Rivals:★★★
Scout: ★★★
Film:
