KNOXVILLE – Even after landing three new players, Cuonzo Martin’s late-spring recruiting efforts had one big glaring need.
Tennessee’s new basketball coach met that need Tuesday, when the Volunteers received a commitment from Yemi Makanjuola, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound center out of Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C.
Martin had landed a trio of perimeter players, but the Vols needed another player with size for next season. Kenny Hall (6-8) and Renaldo Woolridge (6-9), who is more of a swingman than a post, were UT’s tallest returning players.
Makanjuola, a native of Nigeria, enrolled at Oak Hill Academy last spring before spending this season at the same school that produced former Kentucky star John Wall. He went on a visit to Indiana before taking an official visit to UT last weekend.
UT also officially announced last Friday’s signing of Quinton Chievous, a 6-5, 200-pound wing out of Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Ill., just north of Chicago.