Tennessee Basketball: An in-depth look at Volunteers 2020-21 roster

Yves Pons – 6’6’’ Senior Small Forward/Power Forward 

Pons is one of four Vols who appeared in all 31 games last season and averaged 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 33.9 minutes per game.

According to TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 34th in points per game allowed in 2019-2020 (64.2), and 74th in opponent points from two-point range (31.6), and I believe that they would have been ranked lower in both categories if it wasn’t for Pons.

He has the ability to make up for his teammates on-ball defensive miscues, by quickly sliding over from the weak side (or already being on the strong side), and using his explosive first jump, impeccable hang time, impressive body control, and outstanding awareness/timing, to emphatically swat layups in the opposite direction.

Sometimes it can be tough for bigs to get clean blocks if they are not already on the strong side because they feel as though they are already a step behind. This causes them to attack the ball when it is on a downward rather than an upward trajectory, which results in a goaltend)

Fortunately for Pons, he never really has to worry about that, and even if he is unable to successfully block a shot, he makes it difficult for players to double clutch in the air, or attempt a  relaxed finger roll, and finish over the top of him. On the offensive end, Pons has been able to do the one thing that Fulkerson doesn’t excel at, which is make defenders respect his perimeter game. In pick and pop situations, he forces opposing bigs to trust their perimeter defense, and show that they can defend him outside of the post.

When they continue to sag off him and give their teammates too much assistance, he can make them pay by typically stepping into a three in the right corner, or top of the key. (shot 34.9% from three, which isn’t bad for a player that does a lot of his damage in the post) When Pons is down low in the post, he likes to either take one hard dribble towards the middle of the paint, and shoot a mid-range jumper while slightly falling away, or simply shoot a post-fade, turning to his left or right.

If he doesn’t take a meaningless dribble thirty feet from the basket, and instead decides to rip through and get to the basket in three dribbles or less, he is a player that you could play at the three a little bit if you need to. When he is forced to switch onto quick guards, who appear to have the advantage in the beginning, he shows off his splendid lateral quickness and demonstrates repeatedly that he can stay with them stride for stride. This shows me that Pons does not have to not rely on his leaping ability, to help bail himself out at the very last second.