A pair of senior post players from the Chattanooga area earned their classifications’ top individual honors at Tuesday’s Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards at Middle Tennessee State University’s Tucker Theatre.
Bradley Central’s Kimora Fields and Chattanooga Prep’s Derrick Roberson added to their long list of accolades as they were named Miss and Mr. Basketball in Class 4A girls and Class 2A boys, respectively. Both players this season have shot over 69% on two-point field goals for the top-ranked Bearettes and Sentinels.
The 6-foot Fields averages 32.3 points per game, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game for Bradley Central (32-0), which has won 49 consecutive games and will try to claim its fourth straight TSSAA state championship and 10th overall later this week at MTSU’s Murphy Center.
Fields, a Clemson signee and espnW’s No. 27-overall ranked player in the country, is just 31 points away from scoring 1,000 points on the season. She has scored a program record 3,024 points in her prep career, in which she has posted field goal percentages by year of 68.1%, 69.2%, 66.1%, and 64.2% as a senior.
Kimora Fields, DJ Roberson crowned 2026 Tennessee Miss and Mr. Basketball
Fields is the first Bearette to become a two-time Miss Basketball winner. Other award winners for the state’s all-time winningest program include Brittany Jackson (2001) and Rhyne Howard (2018). The award has been presented by the TSSAA since 1986.
“All of the hours of time and dedication put in to this game are paying off, and that is such a great feeling,” said Fields, a two-time state tournament MVP who carries a 4.0 GPA. “I have such amazing support around me, which includes my mom, who is my role model. I couldn’t be more blessed to be surrounded by this family. Now, we want to finish out this incredible ride at the Glass House with another state championship.”
Roberson is the first Mr. Basketball winner in Chattanooga Prep history and the first player from the city to win the award since McCallie’s Jordan Price in 2010.
(READ MORE: Chatt Prep star Derrick Roberson motivated to win another state title)
The 6-foot-6 Roberson has averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks for the Sentinels (19-11), who are in search of a third straight state championship this postseason. The Freed-Hardeman signee, who has helped lead the Sentinels to a 104-34 record in his four seasons, has scored over 2,000 points in his prep career.
Roberson scored a season-high 30 points in Monday’s Class 2A sectional victory, in which he had three of Chatt Prep’s 11 dunks in the final quarter. He also has posted single-game highs this season of 13 rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and four blocks.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Roberson, who is also a two-time state tournament MVP. “Being recognized as Mr. Basketball is a big award. It is a big achievement in my life that I will never forget.
“I couldn’t do this without my support base. Starting with my mom; she is my biggest supporter. I am bringing this award home to everybody at Chatt Prep. We are one big family.”
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Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.