KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Associated Press Boys High School Basketball Player of the Year has signed a letter of intent indicating he's coming to play for the University of Tennessee.

Scotty Hopson helped lead the University Heights Academy Blazers in Hopkinsville, Ky., to a 30-5 record this past season.

UT Men's Baksetball Coach Bruce Pearl says timing is everything.

"We needed a player who could help cover the losses of JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton at that position. Scotty is not only a player who can step right in to play a key role for us, but he is also a terrific student-athlete who has remained hungry and humble throughout the process of being named a McDonald’s All-America."

Hopson will be the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Vols since Vincent Yarbrough joined the Vols in 1998, and he's only the second from the state of Kentucky to suit up with the Vols.