Sports
Notre Dame Star Quinton Chievous Commits to Tennessee
During a press conference held at Notre Dame on Thursday, the 6-foot-5 senior chose Tennessee over St. Louis.
It was better late than never for Notre Dame College Prep basketball player Quinton Chievous. After receiving a late scholarship offer, the senior guard announced he will be attending the University of Tennessee during a press conference held at the Niles high school on Thursday afternoon.
Despite the current NCAA investigation into former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl’s actions during his tenure, Chievous felt new coach Cuonzo Martin and the University of Tennessee were the best fit for him.
“I was really impressed with Coach Martin; I really thought he was a great man. With his players, he builds a lot of character and both me and my family thought that’d be a big help besides basketball.
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“The whole environment, everyone in Tennessee is big on their basketball program and very supportive.”
Before Thursday’s press conference, Chievous had narrowed his list of college choices to Tennessee and St. Louis. Derrick Chievous, Quinton’s father, was a former basketball star at Missouri in the 1980s.
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Even with his family ties in the state of Missouri, Chievous went on an official visit to Tennessee in late April and played in a couple of scrimmages against current Tennessee players.
“I felt that I could play with those guys and I feel really confident in my game that I can play at that level,” Chievous said. “I just have to keep working."
As a 6-foot-5 combo guard, Chievous averaged 20.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Dons last season. He was named IBCA 2nd Team All-State and honored as ESPN Chicago 1st Team All-Area.
Chievous led Notre Dame to a 23-7 record last season. The Dons ended their season with a loss to Niles North, 74-60, in the IHSA Class 4A sectional semi-finals.
“We knew going in at the tipoff every game we were going to get 20 and 10 from him, and from a coaching standpoint that’s a pretty comforting feeling,” Notre Dame basketball coach Tom Less said.
Chievous said he will be slotted as a shooting guard or small forward in Tennessee’s motion offense, playing mostly on the wing. He will enroll in summer school at Tennessee, enabling him to play in the university’s summer leagues while attending classes.
“I really felt that I would be able to really enjoy myself at Tennessee,” Chievous said. “I was comfortable with the atmosphere there and Coach Martin was really big on my decision.”
