KNOXVILLE - The University of Tennessee women's basketball program will soon have its first player from Chattanooga.
Jazmine Massengill of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy signed this week as part of a four-player 2018 class that is rated fifth in the country by ESPN. On Friday, Tennessee announced the signees who make up sixth-year head coach Holly Warlick's second straight recruiting class with a top-five ranking.
The Lady Volunteers have welcomed several players from Bradley County over the years, but Massengill will be the first from the Chattanooga city limits.
She is rated the No. 26 player in the country for the 2018 graduating class, according to ESPN. The 6-foot point guard averaged 10 points, 6.9 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals as a junior.
"We have watched Jazmine be a great leader for her team," Warlick said in a news release. "She plays hard and really knows the game of basketball. I think she has really improved her game offensively, in terms of her ability to score. I'm excited for her, because she is a Tennessee kid, and she always wanted to play at Tennessee and represent her home state."
Massengill is joined in the signing class by Zarielle "Zay" Green, a 6-0 guard from Duncanville, Texas; Amira "Mimi" Collins, a 6-3 forward from Waldorf, Md.; and Rae Burrell, a 6-1 wing from Henderson, Nev.
Tennessee's four current freshmen were rated the No. 1 signing class for 2017. They combined for 76 points in a 121-76 exhibition victory over Carson-Newman on Tuesday and are expected to be key contributors for the Lady Vols this season.
Tennessee's regular season begins Sunday with a 2 p.m. home game against East Tennessee State.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.