Four-star power forward Johnathan Williams III is headed to Missouri.

The 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward from Memphis Southwind announced for the Tigers over Georgetown, Michigan State  and Tennessee during a press conference Thursday night.

“It’s just a great situation,” Williams told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I went to their workouts, saw their workouts, and they work extremely hard. I know they’re gonna do big things this year and then next year when I get there.”

“He’s a multi-dimensional player, a skilled player,” Southwind coach Paul Edwards previously told SNY.tv. “He plays the one, two, three and four.

“He reminds you of a young Lamar Odom.”

Williams III joins guards Travis Jorgenson and Wesley Clark in coach Frank Haith’s 2013 recruiting class.

JOHNSON TO ANNOUNCE NOV. 2

Williams’s teammate, shooting guard JaJuan Johnson, will announce his college choice Nov. 2, his mother told SNY.tv Thursday.

The 6-foot-5, 188-pound Johnson will decide between Alabama, Marquette and Miami after opting not to visit UConn this weekend.

Johnson visited Marquette last weekend for Midnight Madness and said Marquette’s committed players wanted him to join him there for 2013.

“It’s all on him,” Shaun Williams, Johnson’s mother, told SNY.tv. “Whatever he feels will be his best fit academically, style of play and where he can make an impact early.”

NICHOLS VISITING TENNESSEE

Austin Nichols, a 6-8 power forward from Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.) visits Tennessee this weekend after having visited Memphis last weekend.

He is also considering Vanderbilt, Duke, Virginia and Auburn.

“We’re excited about the visit,” Mark Nichols, Austin’s father, told GoVolsExtra.com. “It should be an awesome weekend.”

Still, he also said he didn’t think Tennessee was a good fit for his son.

“I don’t know if that would be a good fit for him, you know because Tennessee has a grind-out style type of play and I think a more open offense would be more conducive to Austin now,” Mark Nichols said.

“I’m not saying it wouldn’t work, but I’m saying I just think he would fit better other places. If he chooses Tennessee, I’ll be happy for him and we’ll go on with it. It’ll be up to Cuonzo to get the best out of him. Hopefully he’d have a system that works for him.”

Tennessee has already landed Nichols’ AAU teammate, shooting guard Robert Hubbs Jr.

Mark Nichols said his son expects to commit in November.

“I don’t know if we’re going to sign early yet, but we’re going to hopefully commit in three weeks, if possible,” he said.

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“Yeah, he committed to Tennessee,” Hubbs Sr. told SNY.tv by phone Monday. “Coach Martin has really done a fine job in the recruiting process. He’s been around to several events. He’s done a lot of little things that caught the eye of people. He sent a handwritten card to my wife on Mother’s Day. He sent the school a card saying thanks for letting me come into the gym and recruit Robert.

“All summer he’s been around in the front row at events recruiting my son and when he wasn’t he sent a text message saying, “I wasn’t able to make the trip but I’ll be back.”

Hubbs, the Rivals No. 12 shooting guard out of Newbern (Tenn.), picked Tennessee over Duke, Vanderbilt and Auburn and interest from Kentucky, his father said.

He gives Martin a legitimate in-state and national star around which to further rebuild the program going forward.

“We went to visit them this weekend and the fans really love him and he felt at home,” Hubbs Sr. said. “We got a chance to meet the rest of the coaching staff and it felt like a family.

“When he saw the presentation that Tennessee had to offer and everything they had to offer, he knew right then he had seen enough.”

He added: “He just wants to go out there and get the job done and win.”

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Jarnell Stokes

He wanted to change his uniform number to 13.

Stokes hoped to honor Trey Erwin, a 15 year-old Collierville (Tenn.) High School football player who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Erwin wears No. 13 on the football field.

“[Erwin] wore No. 13 in high school,” the 6-foot-8, 245-pound Stokes told SNY.tv by phone from Colorado Springs, Colo.  ”His wish was to come to a ballgame and to meet me and that just stuck with me as a college player. I don’t consider myself to be of high stature but I really want to help him out.”

As it turned out, Stokes will wear No. 14 in Brazil because his number request came in too late. Erwin and Stokes have met several times, including during a visit to the Tennessee campus in Knoxville. The Website Tailgate4thecure.org has various pictures of the two together. The Memphis Grizzlies also honored Erwin during a home game.

Stokes has another connection to cancer in that current Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin beat non-Hodgkins lymphoma in the late 1990s.

Stokes made the final 12-man roster for the U.S. U18 team and is the only current college player on the roster. He enrolled at Tennessee in January after graduating from Memphis Southwind High School early and played in 17 games with the Vols, averaging 9.6 points and 7.4 rebounds and being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

“It means a lot,” Stokes said of making the team. “It’s something a lot of guys don’t  get the chance to [wear a 'USA' jersey] but a lot of guys dream to wear it. When I got the invitation it was a no-brainer for me to play USA Basketball.”

Said Martin: “I think it’s a great achievement for Jarnell. He put the work in. He earned that honor. He’s probably the most veteran guy on the team. He’s the one guy that played in college. Has college experience.”

Still, Stokes said the altitude in Colorado was difficult to cope with while the team trained there.

“A lot of guys can’t want to leave this city because the altitude is killing everyone,” he said Monday. “It affected me a lot. I came down here in pretty good shape but I don’t feel like I’m in shape down here so I’m hoping it’s just the altitude but I’m pretty sure it is because everyone else is tired, too.”

Stokes has practiced against some strong teammates, including 2013 power forward Julius Randle, who has impressed Stokes with his work ethic.

“He’s a good player,” Stokes said. “He’s very bouncy. He’s athletic and the most important thing, he’s not selfish so he’s a good teammate. There’s no cockiness to him so he’s just like all the other guys. That’s what I like about him. He’s willing to learn and there’s no selfishness in his game.”

While some U18 players said they are hoping to recruit Randle to their college teams, Stokes is staying away from that.

“I’m not down here to recruit,” he said. “I’m just down here to win the gold medal. I’ll just leave that to my coaches.”

His head coach right now is SEC rival Billy Donovan, who unsuccessfully tried to recruit Stokes to Florida. But Stokes feels comfortable with Donovan and likes his style of ball.

“I pretty much know his style,” he said. “He likes pick and roll, get up a lot of shots, get up and down the floor. I wouldn’t mind being Patric Young or [Erik] Murphy because I like the way those guys play. I pretty much know the style. I scouted them and I still have [Donovan's] number from when he recruited me.”

Stokes ultimately chose Tennessee in part because of a desire to help his state university restore its image in the post-Bruce Pearl Era and to get them back to the NCAA Tournament.

He said the transition from high school to college ball last year was not as hard as he had expected.

“Coming in I thought i would just redshirt but then when I started practicing with the guys I realized i’m just as big, I’m just as fast, I’m just as skilled. so I just decided to play,” he said.

Tennessee lost to Middle Tennessee State in the second round of the NIT and Stokes hopes for better things this year.

“It still worked out but I think this experience of being here with the high school guys and coming into college next ear, it should be a no-brainer  that I’ll be 10 times better than what I would’ve been,” Stokes said.

Stokes said he’s not concerned with individual goals and simply wants Tennessee to challenge for the SEC championship.

“I’m looking to win the SEC so I’m not really looking at individual goals,” he said.

And even though he won’t wear No. 13 in Brazil, Stokes hopes to honor Trey Erwin will his play.

(Photos: Tailgate4thecure.org & Steven Maikoski, USA Basketball)

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Jarnell Stokes is headed to Tennessee and could help turn around the Volunteers sooner than many expected.

The 6-foot-8 Stokes is the Rivals No. 5 power forward in the Class of 2012. On Thursday he chose the Volunteers over Kentucky, Memphis, Florida and Arkansas.

“I have spent a lot of time in prayer about what to do and I believe that the University of Tennessee is the right place for me,” Stokes said, according to ESPN.com. “I am excited about the future at Tennessee. I am going to work as hard as I can to fit in with my teammates and learn the system as quickly as I can to help the team.”

Stokes was ruled ineligible after transferring from Memphis Central High School to Southwind, but was able to graduate and will enroll at Tennessee for the second semester. He is a huge addition for new coach Cuonzo Martin, who took over in the wake of the Bruce Pearl recruiting violations scandal.

Still, it remains to be seen what kind of impact he can make by jumping into the SEC for the beginning of conference play.

“I think Jarnell is an impact recruit, no question,” a source close to the Stokes recruitment who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the family told SNY.tv.

“It definitely gives Tennessee a marquee recruit. He’s a good kid and a good person. How much he helps them this year I think it remains to be seen.  It will be difficult to never have practiced in a Division 1 practice and then jump into conference play. For any player that would be very difficult.

“Jarnell’s a really good player, that’s gonna be a really hard deal for him”

Still, the source conceded it was a huge get for Tennessee to land a player from the city of Memphis, especially considering the competition.

“It’s big,” the source said. “He’s a Top 20 player in the country and he’s from Memphis. That’s a big statement for them to get. He visited a lot of high-profile schools before he made his decision.

“He’s a marquee recruit and he’s a kid that a lot of people wanted. It’s a big statement to get a player of that caliber out of the city of Memphis, which has been a hard place for Tennessee to recruit.”

Said Stokes: ”We walk by faith not sight. I am fortunate that that I have great people surrounding me. All the adversity that I have been through has made me a better person.”

Photo: Commercial Appeal

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This weekend it was new Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin’s turn.

During a trip to Memphis, Martin told the 6-foot-9, 245-pound Stokes that he could not only be the “face of the program,” but could also be the one to turn Tennessee around in the post-Bruce Pearl Era and “be that guy that players want to play with,” a source with knowledge of the meeting told SNY.tv.

“It was great,” Stokes said by text of the visit.

The source said Stokes was “intrigued” by Martin, but that it may be too late for the new coach to secure Stokes for 2012. Still, the Tennessee coach had made “a lot of headway” with many of the 2013 and 2014 kids in Memphis after spending the weekend in town, the source added.

“They have basically lived in Memphis this weekend,” the source said. “He needs to buy a home or an apartment here.”

Stokes will also host Arkansas Thursday and UConn Saturday. Missouri is also coming in.

After taking an official to Arkansas the weekend of Sept. 2, Stokes is currently working on slating official visits to Florida and UConn.

FREE THROWS

6-9 2013 forward Chris Walker will visit Florida State this coming weekend…Huntington (W.V.) Prep guard Elijah Macon will visit West Virginia the weekend of Sept. 23 after he recently enjoyed his official to Pittsburgh…Oak Hill guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will visit Georgetown on Sept. 23…6-10 Oak Hill big man A.J. Hammons visits Minnesota this coming weekend and Cincinnati weekend of Sept. 23.

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Pearl was recently hit with a three-year, show-cause penalty by the NCAA committee on infractions and can’t coach in the college ranks for that period, anyway.

Pearl told ESPN.com part of the decision stemmed from having two children in high school in the KNoxville area and wanting to spend time with them.

“Donnie Nelson was unbelievably gracious and provided a terrific opportunity,” Pearl told ESPN.com Tuesday. “I really thought that was what I was going to do. But I couldn’t leave my children.

“He’s a father and he understood,” Pearl said. “I’ve made a great friend in basketball that I didn’t really know before.”

“There’s nothing more important to the [Texas] Legends than family,” Nelson told ESPN.com, referring to the D-League outfit. “We totally understand and respect Bruce’s decision to stay close to home. There’s been an overwhelming response to our head coaching position. We hope to have some exciting news in the near future.”

Pearl, who studied marketing and economics at Boston College, has signed on as vice president of marketing with H.T. Hackney Co. in Knoxville, Tenn. He starts Thursday

“I’ve known Bruce Pearl for years — his leadership, competitiveness and understanding of marketing is a great fit for our organization,” said CEO Bill Sansom, a former University of Tennessee trustee.

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“Just say I’m staying,” he told SNY.tv Saturday in an exclusive interview during an NBA combine at the PNY Center.

“It’s all good. Just say I’m staying.”

He is projected by DraftExpress.com to go No. 54 overall, No. 24 in the second round, to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hopson is expected to sign with New York-based agent Alberto Ebanks, who also reps Lance Stephenson of the Pacers.

The 6-foot-7, 200-pound Hopson averaged 17 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season at Tennessee.

“I’m a scorer, that’s what I do best,” Hopson said. “I’m a facilitator as well. I can make a lot of things on the basketball court happen.”

Hopson was first among 22 players Saturday in the vertical jump with no step, baseline sprint and star agility test.

Still, pre-draft reports reflected a concern about his consistency.

DraftExpress.com projects Hopson going No. 55 overall, 25th in the second round to the Celtics.

“There’s 30 teams in the league, I just need one to like  me,” Hopson said.

Larry Marshall, Hopson’s New Jersey-based trainer, said he believes Hopson should be a first-round pick.

“He believes he’s a first-round [pick],” Marshall said. “I think he has the capability of getting into the first round. Obviously, there’s some work that has to be done. But he’s got to make a decision as to whether he thinks he can do it now or he needs to go back to school.”

Hopson said he might have stayed at Tennessee had former coach Bruce Pearl not been fired.

“Obviously, me and Coach Pearl had a good relationship,” Hopson said. “Me being there three years, we had a great bond. I learned a lot of great things from him. I’m sad to see him leave. He was like a father figure to each and every one of us on that basketball team, so it did have some things playing within my decision.”

If there is a lockout, Louisville coach Rick Pitino said he advises many young prospects to take the best European offer they can get. But Hopson said he plans on remaining in the U.S.

“I want to stay in the U.S. and play basketball,” he said. “Whichever team drafts me, I’m going to work my tail off to do each and every thing they ask me to better myself and better my game.”

RELATED CONTENT

**Tobias Harris to remain in Draft

(PHoto courtesy Govolsextra.com)

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The 6-foot-8, 226-pound freshman forward from Tennessee will remain in the NBA Draft and forgo his final three years of college eligibility.

“Want to thank all that supported me during my time at UT. Its truly been a blessing, the Lord has guided me in the greatest of ways,” Harris posted on Twitter Friday afternoon.

Harris, a Dix Hills, N.Y., native, is projected as the No. 16 pick in the June 23 draft by DraftExpress.com.

He has been preparing for the NBA by working out with former NBA greats George Gervin, a family friend, and John Lucas and speed, agility, strength and conditioning coach Britton Kelly.

He has also worked out for several NBA teams, said his father, Torrel, and those teams came away “very impressed with his shooting ability and how physically fit his body looks.”

“The NBA teams are very impressed with Tobias’ versatility, [his ability to play] multiple positions as a player, his work ethic, his character, his unselfishness as a player, his winning desire, his attitude, his willingness to make other players better and his willingness to get better,” Torrel said. “He’s coachable and he’s a fast learner at a very young age. His potential is unlimited.”

Torrel said the family will interview five agents within the next week or so and choose one to represent Tobias.

Harris averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in his only year at Tennessee. He was a USBWA Freshman All-America second-team selection and was named to the All-SEC second-team as well as the SEC All-Freshman team.

“He’s played terrifically,” former UT coach Bruce Pearl said during the season. “He has played great down the stretch. He’s a professional at a very, very young age because of his discipline, his toughness, his mental focus, his preparation.”

A former McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American, Harris graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School West.

In his senior season, he led the Colts to a 24-2 record and an appearance in the 2010 New York State Class AA championship game while averaging 24.7 points and 14.4 rebounds.

Harris became the school’s all-time leading scorer after his sophomore year and became the 12th Long Island prep player to score 2,000 career points. Harris, along with younger brother Tyler, a 6-9 forward who recently signed with North Carolina State, also captured the New York State Championship while at Long Island Lutheran in 2009.

“First of all, Tobias is a wonderful young man,” Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin said in a statement. “He had a great freshman season, but more importantly he also conducts himself in all the right ways off the court. There’s no doubt he’ll be successful.

“He’ll always be a Tennessee Volunteer, and just like every other former player, we’re always here for him. He’s part of the family.”

RELATED CONTENT

**Gibbs, underclassmen must make quick decisions

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The school announced Sunday the hiring of the Missouri State University head coach as the successor to Bruce Pearl, who was fired March 21. Martin will be introduced at a press conference Monday.

The 39-year-old Martin is a Purdue graduate who posted a 61-41 (.598) record in three seasons at Missouri State from 2008-11.

This season’s Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Martin’s team finished 26-9 and won the school’s first-ever Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship. The team’s 15-3 mark in MVC games set a school-record for conference wins in one season.

“Cuonzo is among the most promising young coaches in the game, and we are excited about the coaching ability, toughness, and energy that he brings to our program,” Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton said. “He has a proven track record of success as a head coach at Missouri State and an assistant at Purdue as well as an outstanding career as a college basketball player. His Missouri State program improved from 11 wins to 26 in just two seasons, and they won the regular season conference championship this year.”

“Cuonzo has an inspiring personal story, and we look forward to his impact on Tennessee basketball. We welcome Cuonzo, his wife Roberta, their sons Joshua and Chase, and their daughter, Addison, to the Tennessee family.”

Torrel Harris, father of Tennessee freshmen Tobias Harris, declined comment on the hiring.

He previously indicated his son, a 6-foot-8 freshman, would test the NBA waters.

“Yeah, he’s gonna test the waters,” Torrel said the day Pearl was fired. “He’s one of the best in the country. Why wouldn’t he?”

Martin is a finalist for two national coaching awards this season: the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award, presented annually to the top mid-major coach in Division I college basketball, and the Ben Jobe Award, presented annually to the top minority head coach in Division I. Both awards are to be presented during Final Four weekend.

Martin scored 1,666 points at Purdue.

During his four playing seasons, Purdue posted a 90-37 record, including a combined 54-12 mark in his last two seasons and two Big 10 titles in 1994 and 1995.

In his senior season in 1994-95, he averaged 18.4 points while leading Purdue to the second of three consecutive Big 10 championships, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.

Martin was selected with the 57th pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and played professional basketball for four years, including NBA stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Vancouver Grizzlies. He also was the team captain and leading scorer with the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association for three seasons and was the leading scorer for the Felize Scandone team in Avellino, Italy in 1997.

In November of 1997, Martin was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and returned to the United States for treatment of a malignant tumor between his heart and lungs. He received his last treatment on April 20, 1998, and is now in full remission. He now promotes awareness of cancer research and supports cancer charities.

MOONEY SIGNS EXTENSION

**Richmond Coach Chris Mooney, a hot name in recent years on the Coaching Carousel, has signed a 10-year extension. Read the release here.

(UT Athletics contributed)

RELATED CONTENT

**Tobias and Tyler Harris both without a coach

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Tennessee fired head coach Bruce Pearl on Monday, five days after N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe resigned.

Tobias Harris just completed his freshman season at Tennessee and Tyler Harris has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at N.C. State next season.

“Two coaches get fired, you don’t want that to happen but what can you do,” Torrel, who lives with his family in Dix Hills, N.Y., said Monday by phone. “I always have a belief if you’re a person that walks with God, you’re at where God wants you to be. For Tyler and Tobias, God has them where he wants them to be. We’re all in this world for a purpose. My kids are God-fearing so we approach it as it comes.”

Torrel said Tobias, who averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds this season, would definitely test the NBA waters.

“Yeah, he’s gonna test the waters,” Torrel said. “He’s one of the best in the country. Why wouldn’t he?”

The deadline to enter the NBA Draft is April 24. Players have just 14 days to test the draft process, meaning he would have until May 7 to withdraw his name.

“He’s played terrifically. He has played great down the stretch,” Pearl told The Associated Press before he was fired. “He’s a professional at a very, very young age because of his discipline, his toughness, his mental focus, his preparation.”

Harris himself said it wasn’t on his mind before the season ended.

“It’s not really on my mind because I’m here to win games, and that’s what I’m focused on,” Harris told The AP. “When people bring it up, I kind of just shy away from it and tell them I’m just focusing on the season, which I am. After this season’s over, that’s definitely something that’s going to be worth thinking about.”

After Tennessee lost to Michigan, 75-45, in an NCAA Tournament West Regional second-round game, Harris accused his teammates of “quitting.”

“Well, we just didn’t play with any heart out there,’’ he said. “I mean, Michigan came out and made shots, and we just did a terrible job of trying to cover them. And on the offensive end we rushed too many shots and basically just quit.’’

Pearl was fired Monday after posting a record of 145-61 in six seasons.

He ran afoul of the NCAA when he first lied to, and later admitted to, the NCAA that he provided false and misleading information regarding a BBQ in which he hosted two junior recruits at his home in the summer of 2008 in violation of NCAA rules.

“Bruce is a good person,” Torrel said Monday.

As for Tyler, a 6-8 senior who averaged 17 points and five rebounds at St. Benedict’s Prep, Torrel said his son would maintain his commitment to N.C. State.

“We’re staying put to see who the coach is,” Torrel said. “We met with [athletic director] Debbie Yow. I believe in the vision that Debbie Yow wants to bring to N.C. State back to the Top 10.

“She’s going to bring in someone who’s a winner who’s going to bring N.C. State to the Top 10 and Tyler is a part of that. She broke it all down and I’m definitely going to be rolling with her. She’s gonna get it done.”

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