By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Although the 2016-17 regular season still sits two excruciating days away from the players, coaches and fans of the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team, all can get excited about news concerning the 2017-18 season as the Golden Eagles announced their first signee of the early signing period.
Representing the signing class of 2017, Camden Central High School's Hunter Vick signed his national letter of intent Wednesday, offering the skill set of a true all-around combo guard to an already deep roster expected back next season.
"I chose Tennessee Tech mostly because of the coaching staff," Vick explained about his decision to attend Tech. "I really like the relationships I've already built with them. I feel like it's a place where I am going to continue to grow as a player. Ever since I verbally committed, nothing ever changed. I knew that Tech was where I was going and I've been very excited and confident about that decision from the beginning."
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds entering his senior campaign, Vick has already made a name for himself as a prolific scorer. In his three-year career at Camden, the guard has already scored 1,764 points in just 81 games, averaging 21.7 per game. He has also hauled in 430 rebounds, dished out 283 assists and racked up 202 steals. His junior season totals proved staggering, as he averaged 26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.0 steals.
"Hunter checks a lot of boxes with who he is as a player, as a person and as a competitor," Golden Eagle head coach Steve Payne said about the newest addition to his team. "We are very excited about having him here. He is already a great shooter and we are hoping he can develop into an elite-level shooter while he's here."
Last year alone, Vick took home All-State honors, All-West Tennessee First Team honors, All-District 11-AA honors (also earned the honor as a freshman and sophomore), District 11-AA All-Tournament honors (also earned the honor as a sophomore) and District 11-AA MVP honors. He was also tabbed as this year's All-West Tennessee Preseason Player of the Year.
"Every player has the goal to come in and play as soon as they can," Vick replied when asked about what he plans to contribute next season, "so I plan on bringing a hard work ethic to every workout, practice and time alone in the gym to better my chances of reaching that goal. I know there are several great players that are ahead of me and have already earned their spots, which is something I will have to do too. I'm going to come in and push the guys ahead of me to better themselves while I do the same for myself."
"He handles and passes the ball at a high level, and – as much as anything else – I think he's just a great competitor," Payne continued. "Those are all things that we look for when identifying players. We want men who are competitors, possess a high basketball IQ and come to the gym every day ready and willing to work. Those guys seem to become great players at Tennessee Tech and we are delighted to have Hunter join our program."
Photo by Haley Hays
