Watch Tennessee's Yves Pons jump over 3 fans for stunning dunk

Yves Pons took Tennessee's idea for an interactive, fan-friendly basketball event to spectacular heights Friday night.

The Vols' 6-foot-5 freshman forward from Fuveau, France, introduced himself at the Rocky Top Tip-Off with two stunning dunks. His first dunk checked both of the aforementioned boxes. He leaped over three fans seating in chairs on the Thompson-Boling Arena court.

His final dunk began with a running start and concluded with Pons taking flight from around the free throw line to throw down.

"He's a freak of nature for his size, the plays he makes," teammate Admiral Schofield said afterward. "I've seen him do some crazy things."

Schofield believes Pons' athleticism eventually will translate into useful play for Tennessee this season.

"I think he can channel it and be effective once he understands what coach (Rick) Barnes wants," Schofield said.

In the meantime, Pons' feats fit perfectly within Friday's context. A crowd of approximately 2,500 turned out. The fans spent more time on the court, collecting autographs and photos and mingling with the players from the men's and women's teams, than they did in the stands. And that was by design.

"In previous events, everything was on the court and the fans were in the stands," said Jimmy Delaney, UT's associate athletic director for fan experience and sales. "Now we're telling fans, 'Hey our house is your house. Come on down. Take photos. Hang out.'"

Lady Vols senior forward Jaime Nared remembered a similar event from her sophomore year, expect that this version wasn't similar at all.

"I liked this event a lot, to be able to mingle and socialize with everyone that supports us," she said. "A lot of times they come to our games but we don't get to meet them."

Delaney said the Tip-Off was modeled after the Big Orange Caravan tour of last spring with the intention of "getting our arms around our fans." 

He hopes the strategy literally will pay off in ticket sales.

"If they come and form an association, an affinity with one team or the other, both teams or a particular player, whatever it might be," Delaney said, "they're going to want to come out and support them."

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