Local forward Drew Pember commits to Tennessee

Rick Barnes just picked up his second commitment of the 2019 recruiting cycle, landing local forward Drew Pember.

“I am extremely blessed and excited to announce that I will further my academic career and basketball career at The University of Tennessee,” Pember said.

The 6-9, 190 pound forward is from Knoxville and plays for Bearden High School. He is the 6th ranked player out of the state of Tennessee, according to 247 Sports. Pember averaged ten points, eight rebounds and four blocks last season. His stock went up after joining former Vols’ Bobby Maze’s AAU team.

Pember joins Davonte Gaines, a fellow three-star recruit, in Tennessee’s 2019 class. The Vols still have one spot remaining in their 2018 class after the commitment of D.J. Burns last weekend.

Pember could reclassify to the 2020 class, according to 247 Sports. If he doesn’t do that, a redshirt season in 2019-2020 is the most likely scenario. Rick Barnes is sticking to his plan of long-term player development, and it’s hard to argue with him after the results from last season.