By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Last week, Tennessee Tech men's basketball head coach John Pelphrey announced the signing of six individuals for the 2020-21 season. Over the next two weeks, we will take a closer look at each member of the newest class of Golden Eagles.
Representing the younger of the team's two commits at guard, Taelon Peter is set to join the purple and gold as a true freshman after wrapping up his prep career at Russellville High School in Russellville, Ark.
"I really loved the coaching staff and how welcoming the players were," Peter explained. "I loved how consistent they were in recruiting me, but at the same time gave me space and didn't try to force me to make a decision. They made me feel wanted."
Standing at 6-foot-4, Peter brings loads of athleticism and leaping ability to the mix, having lettered and excelled in both basketball and track & field at RHS. He claimed 5A West Player of the Year and River Valley Now Player of the Year honors as a senior after leading his team to its second straight 5A West Conference title and a 23-6 mark.
"Taelon is a fine young man," Pelphrey said. "He has the type of DNA we want representing this program. He is serious about school, serious about basketball and serious about serving in our community. Taelon will embrace 'The Code' and our 'Leaders First' mentality."
During his senior campaign, Peter averaged 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals per game on his way to earning Class 5A All-State honors and All-5A West Conference honors. He shot 38 percent from 3-point range and 54 percent from the field, earning a spot on the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association (ArBCA) 5A Top-5 Players list.
"What I like most about Coach Pel's philosophy actually has nothing to do with basketball," Peter expressed. "I loved that he invests in the players' attitude over their overall skill so that we have a team full of great guys and great teammates."
Peter honed his extreme leaping ability while starring on the RHS track and field team, collecting All-Arkansas Preps Track Team honors as a sophomore and junior. During his junior campaign, he cleared a personal-best 6-foot-10 in the high jump, representing the second-best mark in the state of Arkansas that year and leading him to 6A All-State Boys Track Team honors.
"When I came on my visit, I was expecting to talk a lot about basketball," Peter said. "When I got there, though, we rarely talked about it. They wanted to know more about me and how to they could help to make me a better man over the next four years. It just felt like home."
Peter added, "I'm most looking forward to meeting all the guys and getting started."