There's rarely any TRULY “big news” about high school basketball this time of year. There are fall leagues, and the stray impact transfer that occurs. That's about it.
However, anytime you get a prep school program that lands a 7-footer, this qualifies as legitimately big news. And that's just what has happened to second-year Tennessee Preparatory Academy in Memphis, as they have landed 7'3” Chris Sodom out of Houston, TX.
Chris is already enrolled at Hollis F. Price Middle College, the school that educates the TPA high school (undergrad) student-athletes. Hollis F. Price is considered one of the top 500 public schools in America, according to Newsweek in August, 2015.
This is the type of news that can help put a second-year program on the map.
“This was huge for us,” said TPA co-founder and head coach Harold Rayford. “Things like this don't happen very often. We were working on some other things when we got a call out the blue. Yannick's people out of Houston called us. We weren't even expecting this.”
“Yannick was the first player we ever brought on campus last year,” explained the other TPA co-founder, Dr. Canada. “We had him in for a visit and we worked him out for two (2) weeks. And the young man remembered that, even though he didn't enroll here last year.
“So when we got the call last week, Yannick himself told us, 'I asked them to call you. I enjoyed my time at Tennessee Prep and this is where I want to be. I was happy there and I want to come back.'”
Sodom, originally from Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria, is classified to graduate in 2017. He has been through much in his travels but believes the move to TPA is a wise one.
“I have been a lot of places, and all the traveling has been very difficult,” he admitted. “But I want to make TPA my final stop before college. This feels like the right place for me.”
He added with a smile, “I am happy here. The people around me and my teammates want what's best for me, and I want to help them be the best. We're here to win championships.”
At 7'3” with long, lanky arms, Sodom can dunk without jumping, but will surprise with his hops. He gets off the floor quickly for a young man of his height. The tendency could lead to foul trouble if he's not careful, but when he elevates even a little, he's an extremely intimidating defender.
Sodom is also surprisingly strong. His spindly legs could use some mass but that will come in time. He has developed noticeable definition in his biceps. That was by design.
“I knew I needed to get stronger,” he said. “So I hit the weight hard for about 3, 4 months. I haven't been doing it as much lately because I have been traveling a lot, but I plan to get back on the weights.”
In order to help shorten the learning curve, former NBA great William Bedford, a World Champion with the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons and former Memphis State Tiger, is being brought in especially for Chris, also known as Yannick.
Sodom currently holds offers from Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, Purdue, TCU and Texas A&M. Memphis is currently monitoring his progress and could offer at any time.
