COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Zac Swansey, a regular in the
University of Georgia lineup the past two seasons, will transfer to
Tennessee Tech to wrap up his basketball career for the Golden
Eagles, TTU coach Mike Sutton announced this week.
Swansey, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Dunwoody, Ga., will sit out
the 2009-10 season due to NCAA transfer rules and have two seasons
of eligibility remaining.
“Tech had recruited me out of high school, and I had built a
great relationship with coach Sutton, coach (Steve) Payne and coach
(Russ) Willemsen,” Swansey said. “As soon as I
announced I was leaving Georgia, those guys called. Coach Sutton
has been around the game a long time, and I know I can continue to
develop my game under him.”
Lauded for his court savvy and point guard skills, he ran the
Bulldogs offense during his two seasons in Athens, leading the team
to the NCAA Tournament as a freshman.
“We had recruited Zac out of high school,” said
Sutton. “We watched him play during high school and with the
Georgia Stars AAU, and we did an in-home visit. We were one of
several schools recruiting him.
“Once he decided to make a change from Georgia, we invited
him on campus and he liked what he saw,” Sutton said.
“I think it will work out well for him, and well for us. We
have three returning guards who will be seniors, so after he sits
out one year and has a year to practice and learn our system, we
think he’ll be ready to step right in and lead our
team.”
Swansey is the latest transfer to come to Tech and the previous
transfers have enjoyed tremendous success. Previous transfers
include Willie Jenkins from UMass, an OVC Player of the Year and
two-time first-team all-OVC selection, Damien Kinloch from South
Carolina, an OVC Newcomer of the Year and two-time first-team
all-OVC pick, Belton Rivers from East Carolina, and another
first-team all-OVC pick, and Derek Stribling from Tennessee.
“Transfers have been a key to our successful teams,”
Sutton said. “Each of them has graduated and gone on to a
professional career.”
“We think Zac has the potential to be an all-conference
player like many of our other transfers,” Sutton said.
During his freshman season at Georgia, Swansey handed out a
career-high 10 assists in his first collegiate game, a victory over
OVC member Jacksonville State. He scored his career-high of 12
points against Hawaii, a number he matched twice more.
He became a more familiar name to Bulldog fans as the hero in
Georgia’s SEC Tournament win over Kentucky in 2007 when he
scored twice in the final 1:55, including the game-winning
turnaround 3-pointer with one second to play to propel the Bulldogs
into the NCAA Tournament.
As a sophomore, he played in 31 of the team’s 32 games
including 17 in the starting lineup. He averaged 20 minutes per
game, scoring 4.3 points per game. His 89 assists ranked second on
the team, and he was also second on the squad in steals with
35.
He was a first-team all-state selection as a senior at Dunwoody
High School, averaging 19.7 points, 4.2 assists, 3.4 steals and 3.1
rebounds per game. As a junior, he helped Dunwoody to its second
straight Class 3A state title while averaging 19.2 points and 6.3
assists. Swansey played his first two prep seasons at Flowery
Branch High School.
“Zac played a huge part in our success at Dunwoody High
School, and that included four Final Fours and two state
championships,” said coach Scott Bracco. “He played a
major role for us. He can score, there’s no doubt about that,
but the most important thing about Zac is that he gets everyone
involved. He makes everyone around him better.”
Bracco also had high praise for Swansey’s character.
“He’s unbelievable. He’s one of the best kids
I’ve ever been around or coached. He will be successful in
anything he does.”
For his four-year high school career, he scored 2,368 total points
and helped his team to the state playoffs all four years.
Swansey says his biggest contribution to the Golden Eagle program
will be his ability to lead.
“My strength is my leadership qualities. That’s what
I’ll try to bring to practice every day,” he said.
“I want to work hard and bring out the best in myself and my
teammates.”
Sutton likes the skills Swansey will bring to the backcourt.
“Zac is a very tough, hard-nosed basketball player who can
create opportunities, not only for himself but for other
players,” Sutton said. “He’s a great kid who
wants to be a part of something special, and someone we can count
on right away. He has experience in big arenas against big
opponents, and he’ll really fit in well here. We expect him
to have a huge impact on our backcourt.”
“This year he will really help us in practice,” Sutton
said. “This lets him work further on his game and play
against our guys. And, our guys get to work against him. It helps
everyone.”
Swansey was a teammate of current Golden Eagles Frank Davis and
Bassey Inameti during his years with the Georgia Stars AAU
team.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back together
with Frank and Bassey,” Swansey said. “We’re
looking forward to finishing our college careers
together.”
Their AAU coach, Troy Vincent, has good things to say about his
former point guard.
“Zac was an incredible leader and a great kid,”
Vincent said. “He’s bringing a wealth of experience and
leadership to Tennessee Tech. That’s what he meant for us. He
brought a calming presence to our team.
“He’s also a leader off the court, too,” Vincent
said. “The guys really looked up to him and respected
him.”
Swansey is also familiar with November TTU signee Terrell
Barnes.
“I played with Terrell’s brother, Chris, at
Georgia,” Swansey said. “I got to know Terrell through
that. I already had a good relationship with the coaches and I know
a few guys on the team, and that made my decision easier and will
make it that much better when I get there.”
Swansey will join a Golden Eagle roster that has already added
four signees for the 2009-10 season. Those newcomers include
Terrell Barnes and Jud Dillard from Riverdale (Ga.) High School,
Livingston (Tenn.) Academy standout guard Chase Dunn, and Mineral
Area Community College forward Byron Pickens from Chicago.
June 2, 2010
Gates, Muhammad named as TTU Strength All-Americans
March 16, 2010
Frank Davis receives NABC second-team all-district honors
March 1, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Austin Peay in OVC opening round
February 28, 2010
Tech faces OVC Tournament doubleheader Tuesday at Austin Peay
February 27, 2010
Golden Eagles slip past Gamecocks on Senior Night, 72-62
February 22, 2010
OVC Basketball Tournament to expand, change locations beginning in 2011
February 20, 2010
Golden Eagles drop BrackerBuster contest at Appalachian State
February 19, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Appalachian State in ESPNU BracketBuster
February 18, 2010
Tech bows in overtime for second time this week
February 17, 2010
Golden Eagles look for season sweep of Austin Peay
February 15, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Tennessee State for OVC double-header
February 15, 2010
Tennessee State outlasts Golden Eagles in double-overtime
February 13, 2010
Tech subdues Skyhawks, 70-61, to tighten OVC standings
February 12, 2010
Tech hosts defending OVC champion UT Martin Saturday night
February 11, 2010
Zach Bailey receives 2010 First Tennessee Bank Scholarship
February 11, 2010
Tech can't stop streaking Racers, fall 94-62 in Eblen Center
February 9, 2010
Unbeaten Murray State visits Eblen Center for OVC clash
February 8, 2010
Dillard earns third Freshman of the Week honor
February 6, 2010
Davis torches the nets but Golden Eagles fall at Morehead State
February 4, 2010
EKU ends Tech's win streak at four games
February 2, 2010
Basketball travels to Eastern Kentucky for a Thursday doubleheader
February 1, 2010
Golden Eagles draw Appalachian State in ESPNU BracketBuster
January 30, 2010
Strong second half lifts Tech over SEMO for fourth consecutive win
January 29, 2010
Doubleheader vs. Southeast Missouri will go on Saturday as scheduled
January 29, 2010
Tech basketball hosts Southeast Missouri in OVC double-header
January 28, 2010
Golden Eagles pull away late, top Eastern Illinois Panthers 75-65
January 27, 2010
Golden Eagles look for redemption against Eastern Illinois
January 26, 2010
Free H1N1 shots available, free tickets to game with vaccination
January 25, 2010
Mike Sutton: Comeback coach of all time
January 25, 2010
Dillard earns second Freshman of the Week honor
January 23, 2010
Clemens, Porter, Lewis among Golden Eagles returning Saturday
January 23, 2010
Golden Eagles tame TSU Tigers, 61-56, behind Murphy and Jones
January 22, 2010
Tiger Hunt: Golden Eagles host Tennessee State Saturday night
January 21, 2010
Davis, Dillard and balance help Tech to 94-90 win over APSU
January 20, 2010
Golden Eagles host rival Austin Peay to begin four-game homestand
January 19, 2010
Reminder: Free admission to families of 278th and area youth teams
January 18, 2010
Students invited to "Welcome Back Bash" in Eblen Center Thursday
January 16, 2010
Racers maintain league lead with 88-66 win over Golden Eagles
January 14, 2010
TTU men's basketball featured on CollegeChalktalk.com
January 14, 2010
The Sports Zone names Frank Davis Champion of the Week
January 14, 2010
All-session tickets for 2010 OVC Basketball Tournament now on sale
January 12, 2010
Golden Eagles to play on national TV against UT Martin Thursday
January 8, 2010
Tech vs. TSU chosen as OVC Radio Game of the Week
January 7, 2010
Tech takes on Eastern Kentucky in crucial OVC matchup
January 7, 2010
Late run lifts Morehead State to 77-64 OVC win in Eblen Center
January 4, 2010
Frank Davis earns OVC co-Player of the Week honors
December 30, 2009
Davis, Muhammad pace Tech to year-ending win over Union, 95-46
December 23, 2009
Two championship teams featured at Jan. 23 Basketball Alumni Day
December 19, 2009
Jones paces Golden Eagles to 97-44 win over Bryan Lions
December 16, 2009
Happy Holidays: Special gift for season ticket holders
December 14, 2009
Tech's Dillard honored as OVC Freshman of the Week
December 12, 2009
Golden Eagles bounce Ball State in overtime thriller
December 10, 2009
Youth Basketball, Scouts special invited guests at Saturday doubleheader
December 7, 2009
Fans reminded of changes to basketball schedule this week
December 2, 2009
Jordan, McKay named to Atlanta Preseason All-Metro Team
December 1, 2009
Evansville edges Tech in double overtime, 91-90
November 30, 2009
Golden Eagles return home to take on Evansville in Eblen Center
November 27, 2009
Golden Eagles give great effort in loss at No. 1 Kansas
November 25, 2009
Golden Eagles claim 72-65 road victory over Southern Utah
November 24, 2009
Golden Eagles head west to face Southern Utah
November 23, 2009
Big second half lifts Oakland past Golden Eagles, 77-56
November 20, 2009
Golden Eagles visit Memphis in second game of Hall of Fame Showcase
November 20, 2009
Balanced attack lifts Memphis over Golden Eagles
November 19, 2009
Murphy, Davis pace Golden Eagles over Lipscomb, 92-89
November 18, 2009
Golden Eagles continue road trip with visit to in-state foe Lipscomb
November 17, 2009
Golden Eagle game at No. 1 Kansas available on ESPN Full Court
November 16, 2009
Golden Eagles get team effort in 71-67 win over Central Arkansas
November 13, 2009
Golden Eagles drop season opener at No. 18 Minnesota
November 12, 2009
Golden Eagles sign Dunwoody standout Javon McKay
November 11, 2009
Starting times announced for women's and men's basketball games
November 11, 2009
Golden Eagles host Faculty/Staff Appreciation practice session
November 11, 2009
Golden Eagles tip off regular season against No. 18 Minnesota
November 7, 2009
Men's and women's basketball hosts youth clinic
November 5, 2009
Golden Eagles outlast Bluefield for 85-78 exhibition win
November 3, 2009
Gathering of Eagles, Poster Night slated Thursday in Eblen Center
October 29, 2009
Golden Eagle basketball team to hold open practice Saturday
October 29, 2009
Golden Eagles picked seventh in men's basketball preseason poll
October 28, 2009
National audience to hear OVC Men's Basketball title game
October 21, 2009
Tech men's basketball to hold open scrimmage Saturday morning
October 1, 2009
Casey Owens wins men's basketball shoe give-away
September 24, 2009
Golden Eagles to participate in 2010 BracketBuster game
September 23, 2009
Former Golden Eagle Milone Clark in Globetrotter camp
September 22, 2009
Golden Eagle schedule issues some big challenges to Mike Suttons squad
September 21, 2009
Nashville, OVC announced as hosts for 2012 NCAA First/Second Rounds
September 15, 2009
Men's basketball gets great turnout at Elite Camp
August 13, 2009
Men's basketball to host Premier Skills Camp
June 17, 2009
First African-American NBA player shares experiences
June 3, 2009
Georgia guard Zac Swansey transfers to Golden Eagles
May 17, 2009
Sutton adds signee Dillard from Georgia prep ranks