A gathering of gridiron and court legends
The recent Tee Higgins Celebrity Game turned the campus of Oak Ridge High School into a crossover of sports worlds, drawing former NFL and NBA standouts onto a basketball court.
Former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and former NBA point guard John Wall were among the alumni who returned to Tennessee’s sports spotlight, sharing stories and mentoring the next generation.
The centerpiece of the evening was the commitment of Chris Washington Jr., a 6‑foot‑9 forward from Gainesville, Florida, who has already drawn national attention as the No. 33 prospect in the country according to Rivals and the eleventh‑best small forward.
Washington, who honed his game at Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, impressed the crowd with a blend of size, shooting range and defensive versatility that caught the eye of longtime Volunteers coach Rick Barnes.
Barnes highlighted Washington’s impact in transition, his ability to stretch the floor and his defensive instincts, noting that the youngster brings a rare combination of athleticism and skill to the program.
Recruiting momentum
He is set to join three other freshmen — Manny Green, Ralph Scott and Marquis Clark — in what promises to be a deep and talented incoming class for the Volunteers.
The event underscored how high‑profile gatherings hosted by former Volunteers star Tee Higgins are becoming a staple for recruiting visibility, linking past and future Volunteers on one court.