The retooling of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball roster continued Monday with the announced transfer of former West Virginia University three-star prospect Trey Doomes.
Doomes, an Acworth, Georgia, native who played his senior prep season at national power University School in Hollywood, Florida, played in 12 games for coach Bob Huggins as a freshman last season, averaging 2.2 points. The 6-foot-3 guard will apply for a waiver of the NCAA transfer rule, which, if approved, would allow him to be eligible this coming season.
"I think there's a very good chance that will happen," said Doomes, who signed with West Virginia before his senior high school season over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Furman and Wofford, among others. "I look forward to getting started. I have a good relationship with the coaching staff, and the players made me feel at home. When I visited, it felt like the place I can develop and be the player I want to be."
Doomes was ranked in the top 150 players in the country by both Rivals.com and 247Sports.com following a junior season at Allatoona High School in which he averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.2 steals a game, playing in Georgia's Class AAAAAA.
"I think he's an exceptional athlete with speed, quickness and good length for a perimeter guy," UTC coach Lamont Paris said. "His best quality is from the offensive end getting to the basket and finishing. He's still developing as a shooter. He can present some problems defensively with his athleticism and overall competitiveness."
It's on defense where Doomes believes he can make the quickest impact.
"My energy comes from the defensive end," he said. "I feel like I'm a great defender. Offensively, I like to get my teammates involved and score when I can."
Doomes is the sixth addition to the Mocs' roster this offseason, helping to offset the losses of transfers Kevin Easley, Donovann Toatley and Jerry Johnson Jr. He joins graduate transfer Matt Ryan from Vanderbilt and sophomore guard Malachi Smith from Wright State. Smith will have to sit out this coming season.
Also joining Paris' program are incoming freshmen Grant Ledford, a guard, post Jaden Frazier and forward Prosper Obidiebube.
"I like the additions we've made," Paris said. "We've put ourselves in position, moving forward, to have a solid nucleus of guys. We have added length and athleticism and the ability to shoot the ball at a high level.
"Most importantly, we've added some much-needed experience. Matt Ryan has, for example, played and advanced in the NCAA tournament. Malachi has played in one as well. It's a good group."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.