2023-24 BOYS BASKETBALL UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE YEAR: Jonathan Woodlee, Maryville

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BY JESSE SMITHEY

Probably a safe bet that, most days, the first text message to hit Maryville boys basketball coach Wes Lambert’s phone is going to be from Jonathan Woodlee.

The daily routine of the sophomore point guard begins with a 6 a.m. wakeup and then it’s straight to Maryville High.

“I’m at the gym every day at 6:30 a.m.,” Lambert said, “and he’s waiting on me.”

Once inside, Woodlee’s work begins.

And it isn’t just casual shots and some free throws until he heads off to his first class.

“He’s in there absolutely getting after it,” Lambert said. “He’s got a plan, and he sticks to it.”

Once the school day and practice conclude, Woodlee works on his craft some more.

“I’d shoot after practice until about 6:30 or 7, just depending on how I’m shooting that day,” Woodlee said.

That drive and effort were contributing factors in the myriad of reasons why Woodlee was named 5Star Preps Boys Basketball Underclassman of the Year (2023-24) from a significantly deep pool of area freshmen and sophomores.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Woodlee led the Rebels to a 26-8 mark along with a Region 2-4A championship and the program’s first state tournament appearance since the Covid-cancelled state tournaments of 2020.

On a team with three other double-digit scorers, Woodlee averaged 13.5 points per game while pulling down 4.9 rebonds per game and doling out 2.6 assists.

Moreover, he shot 38.6 percent from the 3-point line and has developed one of the best mid-range games Lambert has seen.

Basketball is the sport thread that weaves through Woodlee’s family, even all the way up to the NBA — where his cousin D’Angelo Russell plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Seeing a relative make it that far definitely inspires Woodlee.

“I want to be like him,” Woodlee said. “I just try to be like him every day: get up in the morning before school, get shots up, after practice get shots up — just give myself the best opportunity to be the best I can be.”

Maryville lost to Cookeville, 70-60, in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament in March. While he was grateful for the opportunity to experience that stage, Woodlee took the loss hard. He’s that competitive.

He did manage to bring himself to go back to watch the game on film to see what he did well and not so well.

“I guess I’ve gotten over it,” he said. “It took about a week, week and a half.”

“The only thing we can do is learn from it,” Woodlee added. “The first time at the state tournament was a great experience for me and my teammates. It helps us get ready for next year. I look at it as: it motivates me to win a state championship. I know we can get there; it’s just a matter of winning enough games to win a state championship.”

He’ll have two more years to do that.

Nevertheless, Woodlee’s presence on the court allows Lambert peace of mind as a coach — whether it’s the assured point production from his star guard or the confidence in knowing Woodlee can handle designed presses from opponents. And that permeates throughout the team psyche, as well. The Rebels know they’re in capable hands.

College interest is beginning to stir and offers will be sure to follow if Woodlee continues on this current upward trajectory.

One thing is for certain: his effort to achieve his ultimate goal will not diminish.

“He’s going to have an opportunity to play somewhere,” Lambert said. “Someone’s going to get lucky, because he’s special. He’s special.”

PAST 5SP UNDERCLASSMEN OF THE YEAR

2018-19: B.J. Edwards (Catholic)
2019-20: Reid Satterfield (Greeneville)
2020-21: Blue Cain (Catholic)
2021-22: Tyler Lee, Denaj & Taj Kimber (Fulton)
2022-23: Shane Cherry (Austin-East)
2023-24: Jonathan Woodlee (Maryville)