KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee men’s basketball program picked up its first commitment for the signing class of 2019 on Saturday.
Davonte Gaines, a 6-foot-6 small forward from Buffalo, N.Y., announced his verbal commitment to the Volunteers on Twitter. He also has scholarship offers from Buffalo, Canisius, Hampton, Kent State, Monmouth, Niagara and Rhode Island, according to 247Sports.com and the Buffalo News.
Gaines attended a camp at Tennessee in June.
“I didn’t really think I’d have a chance to play in the SEC,” Gaines told the Buffalo News. “I never thought of it. I have to continue to stay humble and playing the way I’ve been playing and hope things work out.”
The lanky wing averaged 17.7 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.0 blocks and 3.0 steals for Health Sciences Charter School last season.