Jacolby Mobley had a front-row seat to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball practice Saturday.
Next year, he'll be in the middle of the action.
Mobley, a sophomore 6-foot guard at East Mississippi Community College, gave a verbal pledge to play for the Mocs and new coach Will Wade on Monday.
"My visit went very well and I really liked my trip," Mobley said. "I liked the campus and the people, and I liked the basketball program. And the players, I can relate to them."
Mobley averaged 13.6 points per game last year with a season high of 35 when he went 15-of-28 from the floor against East Central Community College. He shot 38.8 percent from the floor and 26.6 percent from the 3-point line for the season.
"I play hard and I'm competitive and I hate losing, so that's a big thing," said Mobley, who attended Starkville (Miss.) High School.
Mobley said he chose UTC over North Texas and Middle Tennessee State. In the Mocs' commitment list he joins two high school seniors -- 6-1 guard Brandon Maxwell and 6-3 guard Shaquille Preston -- and 6-6- junior college player Anthony Etheridge.
"They have it going good and I like the culture and the way they're building their program," Mobley said. "I really do see myself contributing. I think I can come in and instantly help them win."
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.