WILLIAMS, McDONALD, JACKSON, & THOMAS PROMISE TO THE NEXT WAVE OF GREAT PLAYERS IN VOLUNTEER STATE
Andre Whitehead, Tennessee Editor of the HOOP SCOOP                         

                    We may never duplicate the level of talent that was at the top of the class two years ago when the Volunteer state produced great players like 6'9 Brandan Wright from Brentwood (Academy) TN, 6'8 Thaddeus Young from Memphis (Mitchell) TN, 6'2 Willie Kemp from Bolivar (Central) TN, and 6'8 Wayne Chism from Bolivar (Central) TN.  But this year we may have more potential McDonald's All-American's than ever with players like 6'5 Elliott Williams from Collierville (St. Georges) TN, 6'5 Jr Leslie McDonald from Eads (Briarcrest Christian) TN, 5'11 Soph Joe Jackson from Memphis (White Station) TN, and 6'5 Frosh Adonis Thomas from Memphis (Melrose) TN all on the horizon.  With Williams we're talking about somebody who is ranked #17 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and picked Duke over schools like Memphis, Tennessee, and Virginia during the Fall Signing Period.  Williams is a big time athlete who is great at getting to the basket, is versatile enough to play all three positions out on the perimeter, has a high basketball IQ, is an outstanding student, and is a terrific kid.  McDonald is ranked #15 nationally in the junior class by the HOOP SCOOP and is as smooth as silk, can knock down the mid-range shot, and has good size for his position.  McDonald also is an excellent student, which explains why schools like Duke, Georgetown, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Memphis are all right at the top of his list.  Jackson is ranked #13 nationally in the sophomore class by the HOOP SCOOP and is much flashier than his ordinary name.  The 5'11 jet-like prolific scoring combo guard can score in a multiple of ways, has the ability to create his own shot, and is getting the most early interest from schools like Memphis, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas A&M.  Thomas is ranked #37 nationally in the freshman class by the HOOP SCOOP and has the strength and athleticism necessary to be a force inside at the high school level.  However, he could move a lot higher in the rankings, if he improves his jump shot and perimeter skills. 
                    What the senior class lacks in quality, it more than makes up for in depth, as there are 21 players - 6'5 Elliott Williams from Collierville (St. Georges) TN to Duke, 6'10 Phillip Jurick from Chattanooga (East Ridge) TN to Tennessee, 6'5 Terrico White from Memphis (Craigmont) TN to Mississippi, 6'6 Jason Jones from Memphis (Ridgeway) TN to UTEP, 6'8 Arnette Moultrie from Memphis (Raleigh-Egypt) TN to UTEP, 6'7 Laurence Bowers from Collierville (St. Georges) TN to Missouri, 6'10 Carter McMaster from Chattanooga (Grace Baptist) TN to Liberty, 5'11 James Harris from Nashville (Christian Advancement) TN to Austin Peay, 6'0 Tyrone Caldwell from Clarksville (H.S.) TN to Austin Peay, 6'3 DeMario Williams from Culleoka (H.S.) TN to Middle Tennessee State, 6'0 Nathan Garth from Memphis (Hamilton) TN to New Mexico, 6'4 Martino Brock from Nashville (Christian Advancement) TN to Southeast Missouri State, 6'2 Jarvis Jones from Memphis (Mitchell) TN to East Tennessee State, 6'4 Quinche Dowdell from Oak Ridge (H.S.) TN to Appalachian State, 5'9 Erik Buggs from Memphis (Mitchell) TN to Valparaiso, 6'0 Tyler Cutter from Murfreesboro (Seigel) TN to Indiana State, 6'4 Kevin Giltner from Kingston Springs (Harpeth) TN to Wofford, 6'0 John Primm from Dickson (County) TN to UNC-Asheville, 6'5 Michael Smith from Nashville (Christian Advancement) TN to Austin Peay, 6'6 Robert Elam from Nashville (Christian Advancement) TN, and 6'7 Zach Ricketts from Cordova (St. Benedict's) TN to Army - who have signed with Division I schools.
                    We also like the quality of depth in the junior class, as 6'5 Jr Leslie McDonald from Eads (Briarcrest Christian) TN, 6'4 Jr John Jenkins from Gallatin (Station Camp) TN, 6'5 Jr Zaccheus Mason from Nashville (Christ Presbyterian Academy) TN, 6'7 Jr Drew Kelley from Franklin (Centennial) TN, 6'9 Jr DeMonte Simpson from Knoxville (Bearden) TN, 6'7 Jr Reginald Buckner from Memphis (Manassas) TN, 6'6 Jr Farrakhan Hall from Memphis (White Station) TN, 5'10 Jr James Gallman from Knoxville (Fulton) TN, 6'2 Jr Gregg Wooten from Eads (Briarcrest) TN, 6'7 Jr Johnny Williams from Eads (Briarcrest) TN, 6'6 Jr Blake Jenkins form Knoxville (Bearden) TN, and 6'0 Jr Gentry Hines from Memphis (Raleigh-Egypt) TN are all good enough to get looks by schools at the high Division I level.