Tennessee Basketball: Profile of 3-Star Recruit Derek Reese

Tennessee will not lack in the small forward/wing position next season.

Joining fellow recruit D’Montre Edwards and redshirt freshman Quinton Cheivous, coach Cuonzo Martin continued his backcourt rebuilding project by adding 6’8” Derek Reese of Orlando, Florida to his 2012 recruiting class.

Reese chose the Vols over division one programs Boston College, Wake Forest and Ole Miss, as well as smaller schools James Madison, Central Florida and Georgia Southern, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

According to his AAU coach Reggie Tucker, Reese will address a number of weaknesses for Tennessee, including perimeter shooting and turnover margin.

“He can play multiple positions. He’s long, he can shoot the heck of the ball, and he handles the ball well,” Tucker said, according to GoVolsXtra.com.

As a junior at Olympia High School, Reese finished the season shooting 41 percent from the three-point line.

After a stellar summer, in which he twice faced highly-touted Kentucky signee Alex Poythress, Reese’s numbers dropped considerably in his senior year. He put up only 9.5 points per game and was under 30 percent shooting from the perimeter.

Even so, Martin sees great potential in Reese.

“Derek is a versatile wing who shoots the ball well and he’s a good athlete. He has a good feel for the game, and he can really stroke it from three-point range. He’s primarily a perimeter player, but he’s also really skilled around the basket,” the Vols coach said, per TriCitiesSports.com.

Reese, who plans to enroll this summer, believes his style of play fits well with Martin’s defense-first philosophy.

“I fit well because I can guard multiple positions. I know I need to work on my quickness and strength if want to play. I know if I don’t play defense for Coach Martin, you will not play,” he told The Future of Hoops.

Reese could be a likely candidate to redshirt this season, following reports that he needs to hit the weight room. Older players, including Chievous and Edwards, will also be competing for the same position.

If not, he could be a versatile threat off the bench if Jeronne Maymon or Jarnell Stokes get into foul trouble, or if Trae Golden or Skyler McBee struggle to find their shot.