Tennessee officially added a women’s basketball backcourt for next season as point guard Lauren Avant and off guard Meighan Simmons signed letters of intent Thursday with the Lady Vols.
Avant, a two-time Division II-A Miss Basketball honoree from Memphis Lausanne Collegiate School, said via text message that she signed at school. The 5-foot-9 Avant committed to the Lady Vols as a ninth grader.
Simmons, from Steele High in Cibolo, Texas, signed at school along with several other athletes. She was a late addition to UT’s class. A scholarship became available when guard Cait McMahan decided to stop playing because of persistent knee problems.
“This is a great opportunity,’’ Simmons said. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to go to college.”
The 5-9 Simmons averaged 25 points per game last season in helping Steele reach the Class 4A state semifinals for the second consecutive season. She sounded eager to play for UT coach Pat Summitt.
“She’s so straightforward,’’ Simmons said. “And she know what she wants. I’m going to give her what she wants, whether she likes it or not.”
Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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