Lee men’s basketball coach Tommy Brown returned to his hometown on Thursday and officially signed Chad Lee to a hoop scholarship.

Lee, a 6-foot-6 forward for the McCallie School Blue Tornado, was a three-year starter for coach Dan Wadley’s teams. The 2010-11 Tornado squad placed second in the TSSAA Division II State Tournament, losing to Ensworth in the state final.

“Chad was the type of player we always had to have on the floor,” said Wadley. “He’s the type of player who listens and works hard to get better. I believe he’s going to be a solid college player.” Lee averaged nearly a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) for a balanced-scoring McCallie team.

He was an all-region, all-city, all-state and all-state tournament performer during his senior season at McCallie. “My dad (Jerry) has had the biggest influence on my basketball career,” Lee said. “he’s my biggest supporter.”

Coach Brown noted that his latest signee reminded him of another Chad (Chad James). “Their length and build are very similar. Chad Lee shoots the ball better. He’s a very intelligent player who knows how to play the game and is well coached by coach Wadley. He’s about the 190-pound range right now, but expect his frame to fill out to around 210. Chad will likely play a 3 next season, but we expect he’ll develop into a strong 4 man for us over the years.”

The new signee took a brief look back at his McCallie career. “I’ll always remember my junior year against Tyner,” Lee said with a big smile spread across his face. “I scored 25 points and had the first dunk of my career.”

Lee, who has been a member of the honor roll, facility recognition list and headmaster’s list at McCallie, said he selected the Flames over colleges like Rhodes, Birmingham Southern, Covenant and Tennessee Temple, because “Lee has a great basketball tradition that I wanted to be a part of.”