By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Tubby Smith is on the go, mixing recruiting trips with the upcoming Big Blue Caravan, a goodwill tour which stops next Tuesday at the Golf Center at Kings Island.

The Kentucky basketball coach announced Thursday the signing of a high school center from the Bronx and is reportedly close to one or two more commitments. While questions persist that his new contract isn't configured in a way to cease speculation he could leave for another job, Smith continues to act like he'll be around at least for the near future.

"I'm looking forward to being here for some time; that's what the contract calls for," Smith told the Enquirer.

The contract announced last month, which calls for Smith to earn at least $20.2 million in the next eight years, doesn't include a "buyout" clause under which Smith would pay the university if he decides to take another job. Lacking that, the contract drew criticism from some media outlets for failing to refute speculation Smith will be courted by the NBA.

"It doesn't refute anything that anybody speculates about," Smith said. "No contract has ever done that for anyone, in my opinion.

"Whatever people say, they say. Whatever people write, they write. If anything, they would have had me gone a long time ago around here, if it were up to the reporters."

Smith announced Thursday the signing of Shagari Alleyne of New York's Rice High School, who has been listed at either 7 feet 2 or 7-3. Either way, he'll be the tallest person ever to play for UK and will shore up a front line depleted by the departures of Marquis Estill and Jules Camara.

"At 7-3, he'll make us pretty huge," Smith said.

Alleyne averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds this season.

UK has one more scholarship to give.

Lukasz Obrzut, a 7-2 native of Poland playing in Maine, visited UK this week. Mohamed Abukar, a 6-9 forward from San Diego who committed last fall to Georgia, is considering UK but waiting to see if the Southeastern Conference will let him sign with another league school. And Patrick Sparks, a former Western Kentucky guard, is considering UK among his transfer options.

UK earlier signed a pair of 6-8 forwards, Bobby Perry and Sheray Thomas.

The caravan Tuesday will include Smith, football coach Rich Brooks, women's basketball coach Mickie DeMoss, athletic director Mitch Barnhart and more than 20 other athletic personnel. Tickets for a 6:30 p.m. dinner are $20; full packages that include lunch, golf and dinner are $125.

For info or tickets, call Amy Terry in UK Athletics at (859) 257-8000.

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com