UT to pick up point guard Melvin Goins

The University of Tennessee Volunteers will pick up point guard Melvin Goins from Mt. San Jacinto College in California.

Coach Bruce Pearl announced Thursday Goins had signed a letter of intent to play for UT.

The 5'11" 195-pound guard played at Ball State as a freshman in 2007-2008 and is expected to enroll at Tennessee this summer. He was selected for Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team while at Ball State.

In a release, Pearl said Goins would bring defensive pressure, toughness, and experience to the table, along with an ability to "create off the bounce for himself and others."

Goins' background, via UT

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.