2019 five-star guard Jalen Lecque ‘strongly considering’ Tennessee

Tennessee may have one more spot to fill out on their 2018 roster, but the 2019 cycle is already getting plenty of attention. Knoxville hasn’t typically been a destination for elite men’s basketball recruits, but Rick Barnes is working hard to change that.

The Vols are in the hunt for Jalen Lecque, a 2019 five-star guard out of Arden, North Carolina. Lecque said so himself in this interview with 247 Sports.

When asked what schools he is strongly considering, Lecque, who is ranked No. 11 in the 247Sports Composite, listed Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Tennessee and Oregon. All have offered him except for Duke.

Lecque is a 6-4 guard who is trying to make the transition to point guard. The five-star prospect is the 11th ranked player in the country, according to 247 Sports. Lecque considered reclassifying to the 2018 class, but wanted more time to refine himself at the point guard spot.

It’s a safe bet to say that Lecque is Tennessee’s biggest target moving forward, with at least two spots (Admiral Schofield, Kyle Alexander) set to come open after next season.

Tennessee is going to have to beat out the traditional powers for a guy like Lecque. While that seems like a daunting task, the Vols just might be in for one of their most successful seasons ever on the hardwood. A full year in the spotlight might just be enough to convince some elite talent to make their way to Knoxville.