Was in Chattanooga tonight at the McCallie School for the Dr. Pepper Classic, had a chance to see two 2020 prospects with Tennessee offers in Sam Ruhzentev from Hamilton Heights in action and to speak with Jaden Springer from IMG Academy, the No. 11 ranked player in 2020, who has a slight injury and didn't play tonight.
First off on Ruhzentev. First time I've seen him play and I was impressed. People wondering if he's some kind of fall back option because he's kind of under the radar and doesn't have a ton of offers (Vandy, Ole Miss, Oregon right now) should stop worrying. Kid is a stone cold baller IMO. Had 28 tonight, dropped in threes, had a couple of dunks in traffic and led his team to a win over Anthony Edwards' squad (the No. 2 prospect in the 2019 class) after Hamilton Heights was down 12 at halftime.
Ruhzentev is originally from Russia, has been over here for two years and is TOUGH. Hard core competitor. I will be very surprised if he doesn't see his stock rise this spring/summer as more people see him. Regardless of where he ends up being ranked, my opinion after seeing him is he's a hard nosed, skilled guy who would fit in with what Rick is doing here. Likes Tennessee a lot but wants to see what opportunities develop for him after the summer, very appreciative of the fact that they offered early back in the fall.
Didn't know Springer was going to be sitting out tonight or I might not have made the trip (glad I did after seeing Ruhzentev), but had a chance to talk to Jaden at length about what's going on. He's playing on an absolutely loaded IMG team (three 2019 kids in the top-20 of latest Rivals rankings) and feels like just the competition in practice is making him better.
Told me that no one was recruiting him as hard as Tennessee, hears from them all the time. Has been very impressed with what he's seen from the Vols this season, said the player development in Knoxville is what stands out to him. Very aware of the fact that the Vols have gotten to the No. 1 spot in the polls without bringing in big-time recruits. Also said the success they're having right now just validates what the staff has been telling him from the start of his recruitment, which is basically that they can win big here and they can help him reach his considerable potential.
He added that he's not close to cutting things down to a firm list of favorites yet, likely won't do that until after the summer, but I personally feel like the Vols will be very serious contenders for one of the biggest talents in the 2020 class after talking to him.
First off on Ruhzentev. First time I've seen him play and I was impressed. People wondering if he's some kind of fall back option because he's kind of under the radar and doesn't have a ton of offers (Vandy, Ole Miss, Oregon right now) should stop worrying. Kid is a stone cold baller IMO. Had 28 tonight, dropped in threes, had a couple of dunks in traffic and led his team to a win over Anthony Edwards' squad (the No. 2 prospect in the 2019 class) after Hamilton Heights was down 12 at halftime.
Ruhzentev is originally from Russia, has been over here for two years and is TOUGH. Hard core competitor. I will be very surprised if he doesn't see his stock rise this spring/summer as more people see him. Regardless of where he ends up being ranked, my opinion after seeing him is he's a hard nosed, skilled guy who would fit in with what Rick is doing here. Likes Tennessee a lot but wants to see what opportunities develop for him after the summer, very appreciative of the fact that they offered early back in the fall.
Didn't know Springer was going to be sitting out tonight or I might not have made the trip (glad I did after seeing Ruhzentev), but had a chance to talk to Jaden at length about what's going on. He's playing on an absolutely loaded IMG team (three 2019 kids in the top-20 of latest Rivals rankings) and feels like just the competition in practice is making him better.
Told me that no one was recruiting him as hard as Tennessee, hears from them all the time. Has been very impressed with what he's seen from the Vols this season, said the player development in Knoxville is what stands out to him. Very aware of the fact that the Vols have gotten to the No. 1 spot in the polls without bringing in big-time recruits. Also said the success they're having right now just validates what the staff has been telling him from the start of his recruitment, which is basically that they can win big here and they can help him reach his considerable potential.
He added that he's not close to cutting things down to a firm list of favorites yet, likely won't do that until after the summer, but I personally feel like the Vols will be very serious contenders for one of the biggest talents in the 2020 class after talking to him.
