A 5-foot-11, 195-pound former Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team performer, Melvin Goins played at Ball State as a freshman in 2007-08 and is expected to enroll at Tennessee this summer.
“Melvin will bring a dimension to our backcourt that will really complement our returning players,” Pearl said. “Defensively, he can really pressure the ball and keep opponents in front of him. Offensively, he can create off the bounce for himself and others.
“He’ll bring an added level of toughness and experience to our team.”
A native of San Diego, Calif., whose family moved to Texas when he was in middle school, Goins led the MSJC Eagles to the Southern California Regional Final last month and was named the 2009 Foothill Conference MVP. In 28 games played, he averaged 17.2 points, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals. He shot 40 percent from the floor, 32.7 percent from 3-point range and 71.6 percent from the free-throw line.
During his freshman season at Ball State, Goins played in 30 games with 26 starts and averaged 28.6 minutes per game. He led the Cardinals in assists per game (2.3) and steals per game (1.7) while ranking second on the team with a 77.8 free-throw percentage. He also averaged 8.0 points and 3.0 rebounds.
Goins was a prep standout at Christian Life Center Academy in Humble, Texas, where he averaged 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals as a senior in 2007 while leading the Cougars to a 42-8 record and being named a McDonald’s All-America nominee.
He also played AAU ball for the Dallas Mustangs.
Joining Goins in Knoxville this summer will be prep signee Kenny Hall, a 6-8, 215-pound forward from Stone Mountain, Ga. Hall signed with the Vols out of Redan High School last November.