(July 22, 2000) — Cory Sears, a 6-6 swingman from Corbin, Ky., has accepted a scholarship offer for the 2000-01 academic year to play basketball at the University of Kentucky, Coach Tubby Smith announced on July 22.

Sears was a 1999 Associated Press honorable mention All-State selection for Corbin High School where he averaged 20.5 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals as a senior, leading the Redhounds to a 26-5 record. Last season, he attended Hargrave Military Academy where he averaged 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in leading the prep school to a 20-3 mark.

“Cory Sears is now part of our team and we’re very excited to have him on board,” Smith said. “Like all our incoming freshmen, we expect him to make an impact, whether it’s in practice or in games.”

Sears was one of 12 players at Hargrave last season to earn a Division I scholarship. At Corbin, he was named the South East Kentucky Conference Player of the Year in ’99, and as a junior and senior, made the 13th Region All-Tournament team and the 13th Region All “A” Tournament team. During his junior season, Sears averaged 17.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as the Redhounds finished 21-9. As a sophomore, he was a key reserve as Corbin advanced to the 1997 Sweet 16.

“Cory has an ability to shoot the outside jumper and play on the perimeter,” Smith added. “And at 6-6, he gives us added size outside.”

Sears becomes the fifth freshman on the Wildcats’ 2000-01 roster, joining Cliff Hawkins, Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels and Matt Heissenbuttel.