By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team may have just embarked on its 2015-16 campaign, but that's no reason not to work on building for the future. The Golden Eagles have done just that with the signing of York Institute's Colton Blevins.
Blevins represents the first signee of the 2016-17 class for the Tech squad, but certainly won't be the last with the Golden Eagles expected to sign at least four players for next season.
"Colton is a guy we've been watching for a while now," head coach Steve Payne explained. "He's an Upper Cumberland kid and that has given us the opportunity to get to know him over the years. I think he brings a very high skill level for 6-foot-8 guy. He has a physical toughness and presence to him that will allow him to step in and hopefully play right away. He possesses a skill level of shooting, passing and handling for a big guy that is pretty rare; and he has enough athleticism to be effective all over the court.
"We're excited about him," Payne continued. "We're thrilled to have another local guy to come play for us. Those guys have been good players for us in the past and I'm looking forward to him having a terrific senior year and then continuing that success at Tennessee Tech."
Colton Blevins
6-8 – 220 – Forward – Jamestown, Tenn. – York Institute
As a junior for the Dragons, Blevins was effective from essentially everywhere on the court, averaging a double-double and making his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball just as much as the offensive side. The wing posted 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game while also averaging 1.4 steals, 2.0 assists and an impressive 2.5 blocks each contest.
The performance earned him co-District 8-AA MVP honors, as well as a place on the Herald-Citizen All-Upper Cumberland First Team. Additionally, Blevins took home District 8-AA Defensive Player of the Year honors behind his sensational ability to impact the game on the defensive side of the floor.
Blevins on why he chose Tech:
On my visit to Tech I just felt more at home than anywhere else and that that was the place I needed to be. I liked the setup with the arena and court. I had been able to play there in grade school and in some summer camps and just always liked the setup. I felt comfortable there just liked everything about the campus and the school as a whole.
Blevins on what he hopes to bring to the table next season:
Whatever Coach Payne needs out of me, that's what I plan to do. Whatever he wants my job to be, I'll do it. I'm just going to come in and bring my best effort every day and give it all I've got.
Blevins on what he's looking forward to most in his first year at Tech:
I'm most looking forward to just getting to know everybody and developing good relationships with all the coaches and players. I've met with them all a couple times and I'm just looking forward to being a part of the team. I can't wait to get after it and start practice with everyone there and just see how big of a difference it is.
York Institute head coach Russell Tays on Blevins:
Colton works very hard in the weight room and on the basketball court. He has a great attitude and he tries very hard to be the kind of leader that every coach is looking for. He brings the team together and cares deeply about his teammates. He just wants to see the program be successful and he tries to do everything he can to make his teammates better around him. Colton has just been a joy to work with.
He's got a lot of great basic skills. He handles the ball well, has great hands, and shoots the ball well. He's a strong kid and I think he's just going to keep getting stronger. I think what you'll see with him as he continues to physically mature and get stronger, is that he's going to adapt very well to the next level and to playing at Tennessee Tech.
I think he'll be a valuable asset in a lot of different ways. He's got some very good tools and with the work habits he has and the attitude he possesses, I think he's going to be a tremendous asset to the program and be a contributor before he leaves there.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, Herald-Citizen
