Newcomers to the State, Most will Shine Immediately

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='2470563' first='Landon' last='Lee']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several talented, tall hoopers moved to Tennessee since 2024-2025 concluded. Two of these dudes are returning after a year away and both are Top 15 guys. But first meet a Latvian and two Serbians who now call Chattanooga home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2973571' first='Toms' last='Birste'] - 2027 SF</strong> - Hamilton Heights Christian Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toms played for the Latvian National Team for his level at u15, u16, and u18. Standing 6-foot-7, Birste is a classic Euro talent with length, skill, and budding ability to handle as a faceup forward. Left-handed shooter Birste takes his time transitioning the ball from catch to release unless a defender is closing out quickly. Toms showed off a beautifully high release and a capability to speed up his shot without compromising accuracy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2973722' first='Stefan' last='Radivojevic'] - 2027 C </strong>- Hamilton Heights Christian Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Serbian. Projects as a rim-runner though his speed end-to-end lags behind most peers as he adapts to his 6-foot-11 frame. Stefan courageously dunks everything in the lane. The junior rises up strong and dunks with both hands. Defenders at this level will be helpless once he gets the ball above his shoulders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/stefchef8/status/1970118316519014698","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/stefchef8/status/1970118316519014698 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2973721' first='Strahinja' last='Jakisic'] - 2027 PF</strong> - Hamilton Heights Christian Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/s_jakisic/status/1970128298220171453","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/s_jakisic/status/1970128298220171453 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Serbian forward. Wonderful shooting range. Strahinja's pre-shot footwork reflects hours of work. It is precise and consistent. Before he catches the basketball each time the star forward's left foot plants ready enabling the right foot to complete his shot prep as he releases. Beautiful form. Stands 6-foot-9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470563' first='Landon' last='Lee'] - 2027 C</strong> - Knoxville Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fighting Irish added two very strong pieces to Mr. Basketball-Candidate [player_tooltip player_id='1959161' first='Cade' last='Murphy'] in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2634289' first='Malachi' last='Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470563' first='Landon' last='Lee']</strong>. Lee comes to Knox Cath from Virginia High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He's gonna be a big athlete who's gonna take up space defensively and fly around, playing above the rim offensively," shared [player_tooltip player_id='1959161' first='Cade' last='Murphy'] as September wrapped. "He is getting more comfortable on the ball and shooting every day as well as being a great rebounder. He is gonna be big for our success."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2283274' first='Antonio' last='McGaughey'] - 2026 SG</strong> - St. George's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Champion (2024) with FACS, Antonio reunited with Head Coach Dee Wilkes after spending his sophomore year out of state. Tall combo guard with plus athleticism. Finishing Top 10 in the class will require more skill development, but he sits #6 now thanks to his combination of size and upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1760993' first='Keeper' last='Jackson'] - 2026 SF/SG</strong> - Tennessee Collegiate Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incredible length. Natural athlete. Keeper started his high school career with Christian Brothers. Height is dreamy for college recruiters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->