There has been a lot of basketball recruiting news floating around lately, and one of the biggest stories is Yves Pons commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Pons, a 6’6″ wing from Paris, France, committed to Rick Barnes and the Volunteers on Tuesday, according to Grant Ramey of GoVols247. He is the Vols’ third recruit for the class of 2017.
Pons is currently playing at Insep Academy in France. The super athletically-gifted lefty’s defense is further along than his offense. Pons, who is strong and long, is excellent around the rim and in transition. However, he is a streaky shooter.
Pons chose Tennessee over Florida and Texas Tech. Ramey said that “Barnes’ history of player development and production of NBA talent during his coaching career” was the main reason he chose the Vols.
The 17-year-old Haitian native has dealt with injuries the past couple of years. Pons is currently averaging 5.88 points, 3.33 rebounds, 1.11 assists, 1.11 blocks, and 1.12 blocks in nine games. He is shooting 55.6% (20-of-36) from the field and 43.8% (7-of-16) from beyond the arc.
Pons played with France in the U-17 World Championships last summer, where he averaged 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 54% from the floor along with 29.4% on his three-point shots. France finished sixth in the tournament. His best game came in the second of the tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he poured in 22 points, on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor.
Pons is the highest-rated of Barnes’ current three-man recruiting class, being rated as a four-star prospect by both 274 Composite and Scout. ESPN does not have him rated. Power forward Derrick Walker and center Zach Kent are the other two recruits. Walker and Pons will be able to sign once the spring signing period commences.
Jimmy Boeheim headed to Cornell
Jimmy Boeheim, the son of Syracuse men basketball coach Jim Boeheim, tweeted his commitment to Cornell next year on Tuesday.
Excited to announce that I have committed to play basketball at Cornell University #gobigred 🔴🐻
— Jimmy Boeheim (@jimmyb_23) March 1, 2017
Boeheim is currently playing at New Hampton (NH) Prep after averaging 23.6 points a game as a senior for Jamesville-DeWitt (NY) High School last season. His dad was ecstatic with the youngster’s decision.
“Very happy!” Jim Boeheim told ESPN in a text message. “He’s a stretch-4 at that level. He can shoot the 3, and can rebound the ball. I think it’s a great fit for him. He’s a good student, it’s a good basketball school.”
Other news
Aussie forward Grant Anticevich verbally committed to California for the 2017 season per Evan Daniels of Scout.
St. Bonaventure has offered 2020 prospect Bol Akot (Proctor Academy, Manchester, NH) . The 6-2 freshman point guard is currently a two-star prospect in 247 composite ratings. He was offered by Rutgers in October.
2017 McDonald’s All-American Kevin Knox (Tampa, Fla./ Tampa Catholic) had a superb game on Wednesday. With UNC head coach Roy Williams and an FSU assistant coach in the stands, the 6-8 small forward went for 40 points and 20 rebounds.
Knox is a five-star prospect and is rated as one of the best small forwards in his class. Duke, Kentucky, UNC, and FSU are the leading candidates for his services.