By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball program took one step closer towards its future Wednesday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles and head coach Steve Payne announced the signing of Buford High School guard Tre Hansbrough.
Known around the state Georgia for his offensive prowess and knack for scoring in bunches, Hansbrough will join fellow freshman signee Micaiah (MY-kay-uh) Henry as the newest members of the Golden Eagle squad for the 2015-16 season.
"Tre fits a need for us in offensive ability," Payne said. "He can really score the basketball and he proved that with his offensive output throughout the year. He went from a set-up, lead point guard to a scoring guard out of necessity for the success of his team.
"He truly fits that mold of the talented guards we've had here and reminds me of Anthony Fisher; a guy that can change his pace, can hit a perimeter jump shot and can score and pass, all at a high level.
"We're just excited about who he is and what he can bring to our program. He's played for a great high school coach in Coach [Allen] Whitehart, who's done a tremendous job preparing him for this level. We're looking forward to seeing what he does as a freshman and throughout his Golden Eagle career."
Tre Hansbrough
6-4 – 180 – Guard – Buford, Ga. – Buford High School
This past season at Buford High School, Hansbrough proved he could score at will, averaging nearly 28 points per game as a senior while making the transition from point guard to scoring guard. Highlighted in that impressive offensive output were two 50-point performances, including a clutch showing at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic.
Hansbrough not only dropped 50 points in his team's thrilling 95-84, comeback victory, he hit a last-second shot to send the game into overtime while scoring 29 in just the fourth quarter and extra period. His offensive abilities helped lead to multiple honors and awards, including HoopSeen.com Georgia Class AAAA All-State Second Team and Gwinett Tipoff Club All-County Second Team accolades.
Hansbrough on why he chose Tech:
The coaching staff really recruited me hard and made me feel wanted right off the bat. When I came on my visit, it just felt like home and I fell in love with the place. Everyone I met made me feel welcome. Tech truly felt like the best fit out of all the schools I visited and were recruited by. The coaching staff was great and it was so easy to connect with them. The players were cool too, and I feel that I'll be able to gel with them very easily.
Hansbrough on what he hopes to bring to the table next season:
I can do a little bit of everything, whether that's defending, rebounding, passing or scoring. I just want to do whatever it takes to win and whatever my coaches ask of me. The coaching staff is asking me to come in and be a scorer and I know I can do that. Beyond that, I just want to help us reach our goals next season.
Hansbrough on what he's looking forward to most in his first year at Tech:
Simply, I just can't wait to get out on that court and suit up with the rest of my teammates.
Buford High School head coach Allen Whitehart on Hansbrough:
Tre brings a natural scoring capability, and that will just continue to get better as he grows. He can score the ball at ease and he's great off the bounce. He can get to the rack, has a solid mid-range game and can hit the three, making him a threat at all three levels. Like any kid, it'll take a little time for him to adapt to the college game, but he has chance to be a scoring threat right out of the gate.
He was just a pleasure to coach and a pleasure to be around. He's an old school type of player, just trying to always please you and get better every day. He is really coachable all the way around. He started at point guard, but learned to play at a higher level this past season. He's the type of kid that wants to be coached and thrives off of criticism. He has this inner desire and drive to get better every day.
Photo by Ty Freeman
