Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Let's Go 'Blue'!!! Middle Tennessee Signs Talented Forward
4/14/2004 3:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
There is no other exclamation as to how a player who picked up the game of basketball just five years ago already has flourished into an outstanding young star with a bright hoops future.
Blue, a 6-foot-9, 208-pound sophomore at Indian River (Fla.) Junior College, has decided to make Middle Tennessee part of that future. He inked a letter-of-intent with coach Kermit Davis' Blue Raiders Wednesday morning, the first day of the NCAA national signing period.
Blue averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots for Indian River in 2003-04. Not bad for a guy who began playing basketball as a sophomore at Palm Beach Gardens High School in Palm Beach, Fla.
"We feel like Tim Blue is one of the most talented 'four' men in junior college basketball this season," Davis said. "Tim has only been playing basketball since10th grade so we believe his best days are ahead of him. He's long, athletic, left-handed, skilled and can step out and shoot the 3-pointer."
Blue was an all-conference performer both years at Indian River and was a first-team all-conference performer during his senior season at Palm Beach Gardens, when he averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds. The forward said also considered UNC-Charlotte and South Alabama, but credited the coaches, players and program at Middle Tennessee for making his decision an easy one.
"Everybody (at Middle Tennessee) was friendly, and I got along with the players from the beginning," Blue said. "I feel like I can fit in there, play and have fun. They have a good cast of players, and I'm looking forward to being part of the program at Middle Tennessee. Coach Davis and coach (Donnie) Tyndall recruited me the hardest. They made me feel like I was a player they wanted from the very beginning, and that meant a lot to me and my family."
Rick Ball, who has a scouting service and writes for The Sporting News and Basketball Times, says Middle Tennessee signed a rising star. Ball has Blue rated one of the top junior colleges players in the state of Florida.
"He is 6-foot-9 with long arms. He is a poor man's Sam Perkins," Ball said. "He can step out and shoot the 3-pointer, or he can use his height to post up. He is very skilled and is a late bloomer. Tim is one of the top five sophomores in the Florida region and there are over 20 junior colleges in Florida, which is one of the top four or five regions in the country this year."
Blue started playing basketball competitively as a sophomore in high school. Two years later he turned in the first of three-straight seasons averaging a double-double.
"I would play against my neighbor outside and then I started getting better," Blue said. "I was able to get much better in a short time, and then I started playing in high school. I am still improving because I still have a lot to learn."
Blue said he was impressed with the Middle Tennessee campus and the emphasis Blue Raider coaches placed on academics.
"I really believe Donnie Tyndall did a great job of developing the relationship with Tim and his family and making them feel comfortable with the academic and athletic situation at Middle Tennessee," Davis said.
Steve Thomas, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward who transferred from the University of Georgia last fall, also will count toward the 2004-05 signing class. The NCAA signing period continues through May 19.
