By Gentry Estes

Staff Writer

KNOXVILLE -- Friday was a big day for the University of Tennessee's newest basketball star.

Back in Tyler Smith's hometown of Pulaski, far from newfound fame and celebrity, his son celebrated his first birthday. Of Smith's many journeys since his son's birth, this may have been the easiest.

The past year is now worth it, and he doesn't regret a thing, he said.

"It feels great to be back home," Smith said. "Being close to my family -- that's the best part. Basketball is maybe not going to be there for the rest of my life, but, I mean, my family is not either."

It would be simple to see Smith's actions of the past few months as solely basketball-based. After all, Tennessee's program is much better than when he headed elsewhere after Buzz Peterson was fired as coach following the 2004-05 season. And he did grow up wanting to play for the Volunteers.

But really, this wasn't about sports, he said. As much as Smith looks forward to three seasons as a Vol, family was the reason the 6-foot-7 freshman All-Big Ten forward bolted Iowa for Tennessee.

The biggest factor was the illness of his father in McMinnville. Billy Smith's health worsened in the past year because of lung cancer. His father's condition led the NCAA to approve Tyler's NCAA hardship waiver, meaning he'll be eligible for the Vols this season.

"He's doing pretty good. He's on a lot of medication right now, but he's doing fine," said Smith, who was home last weekend. He plans to make the hour-and-a-half drive to McMinnville each Saturday this fall and return for classes the next night.

"He doesn't talk about it much, but I can see it in him," Smith added. "He's very excited about me being home and actually getting to play for Tennessee."

There was also Smith's son Amare, who is named for Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudemire. Little Amare traveled to Iowa twice during his father's freshman season. Like Smith's father, his son made it to only one game.

"I really wanted to be in his life, too," Smith said. "It just was hard on me."

So he left Iowa, spawning a rapid transition that couldn't have gone much better for him or Pearl's program. Iowa released Smith -- arguably its best player -- from his scholarship, allowing him to enroll for UT's summer session.

Last week, the Vols learned Smith could play right away, and a team roundly forecast to win the Southeastern Conference suddenly got even better.

"The sky is the limit," Vols forward Duke Crews said. "He's a great athlete. He'll fit in with the rest of us perfectly. He'll be a key piece to the puzzle."

The orange-shaded welcome has been warm for Smith, if not frenzied. Seldom has a new kid been so popular.

Smith's introduction to UT actually occurred this month. His performances in the Pilot Rocky Top summer league at Bearden High School have consistently drawn packed houses. Teamed with fellow UT transfer J.P. Prince, Smith has answered with loads of points and show-stopping plays.

On the court, Smith has proved to be a monster. With his shaved head and thick goatee, he appears well older than his two years out of high school. He often plays that way.

His ability has impressed future teammates -- guard JaJuan Smith uses the word "special" -- in addition to others who remember his days from Giles County High School. When asked the most impressive player in the league's two weeks thus far, Clemson signee Terrence Oglesby of Bradley Central replied, "Oh, Tyler Smith, no question."

"I think he's impressed everybody," Oglesby said. "He's always been a specimen, but he's improved his outside game unbelievably. He's really improved a lot. He's going to be an All-SEC performer for the Vols this year. You can almost count on that."

Tennessee's players aren't shying away from the expectations. They break every huddle this offseason with a goal Smith tosses out with a confident grin.

"National championship," Smith said. "I say championship if they had me. I say championship if they didn't have me."

UT to play Gonzaga?

Tennessee has agreed to make a cross-country journey to play Gonzaga on Dec. 29, according to Seattle's KHQ-TV. The game would be held in Seattle, rather than the Bulldogs' home court in Spokane.

E-mail Gentry Estes at gestes@timesfreepress.com