Malachi Picks Big 10 School, Fitzpatrick Offered

Andrew Force September 25, 2025 @ 09:15 AM

Wednesday night Malachi Brown Malachi Brown 6'5" | SG/SF Knoxville Catholic | 2026 State TN verbally committed to the University of Michigan, a startling option just weeks after he was getting strong D3 interest. Has any player ascended up the 'recruiting ladder' quicker in the 2026 class? Not even close.

Malachi is the latest of a sprinkling of Big 10 commits from Tennessee though remember his commitment is currently a verbal commitment. He cannot sign until November. Recent Big 10 signees were Cade Bennerman (Northwestern), Felix Okpara (Ohio State), Jahvin Carter (Penn State), and Trey Thompson (Iowa). Of note, Jakobi Gillespie played a year for Maryland, but initially signed with Belmont University out of high school.

Two weeks ago Malachi was holding offers from Lincolm Memorial, UVA-Wise, Trevecca Nazarene, and Maryville. "I have been talking to Ohio Dominican," shared Brown with PrepHoops at the time. "I have been on an unofficial visit with Trevecca. I was going to UVA-Wise for an official September 5th. Adidas All-American Camp instead. I think I will pick a school late November."

That adidas All-American Camp provided Malachi Brown Malachi Brown 6'5" | SG/SF Knoxville Catholic | 2026 State TN with the opportunity that ultimately changed his life.

Kishwaukee offered high-academic forward Gavin Fitzpatrick Gavin Fitzpatrick 6'7" | PF/SF Whitehaven | 2026 State TN (Whitehaven) Monday. LeMoyne-Owen offered him the day prior. Both Shawnee Community College and Southwest Community College are offers on the table too.

Kishwaukee is a junior college in Malta, Illinois. One successful alumnus is former major league baseball player Lou Collier (315 career games).

Cutter Sisk Cutter Sisk 6'8" | PF Beech | 2026 State TN (Beech) enjoyed an official visit to Kennesaw State University this past weekend. Cutter is poised to compete for Mr. Basketball this upcoming season. The final weekend of August Cutter took an official visit to Wofford University. They were certainly one of his favorites, but both their head coach and their associate head coach suffered dismissal mid-September.

Richmond head coach Chris Mooney evaluated Cutter in-person last week. Sisk officially visited Richmond the previous weekend.

Earlier this week '26 PG @DWilburJr26 (Red Bank) officially visited Tennessee Wesleyan University. DJ Wilbur DJ Wilbur 5'10" | PG Red Bank | 2026 State TN was the second-best college prospect at the @PrepHoopsTN Combine in June and will battle for District MVP this upcoming winter.

Tennessee Wesleyan University offered Jayden Barton Jayden Barton 6'3" | SG/PG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2026 State TN (Gatlinburg-Pittman).

Southeast Missouri offered '26 forward Axton Perry Axton Perry 6'7" | SF Bartlett | 2026 State TN (Bartlett).

Former #1 prospect in the Class of 2026, Trey Pearson, also picked his future college home this week. Pearson verbally committed to High Point University after officially visiting numerous D1 programs this month. Pearson was the starting point guard for Peach Jam Champion Brad Beal Elite 17u in July.