Tennessee basketball landed its third transfer of the offseason on Tuesday when Louisiana Tech shooting guard Amaree Abram committed to Rick Barnes and his staff.
Abram visited Tennessee on Monday, committing to the Vols’ coaches on his visit before making his decision public a day later. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard chose Tennessee over James Madison, LSU and Minnesota.
“I feel like on my visit they made it feel like home,” Abram told RTI of why he committed to Tennessee. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I’ve just got so much respect for Coach Barnes and the program and the direction I’m headed I feel like it’s good for me and my family.”
Abram spent his junior season at Louisiana Tech where he averaged 12.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. The left-handed guard made 66 three-pointers at a 37% clip last season and brings Tennessee some much needed floor spacing and shooting.
The Port Arthur, Texas native is also a stout defender. Abram always guarded the opposing team’s best perimeter player and excelled in the role. In two matchups against Kennesaw State star Adrian Wooley, one of the nation’s top transfers, Abram held him to six and seven points under his season average.
“I was a very good defender last year at LaTech,” Abram said. “I was one of our best defenders. I know they (Tennessee) pride themselves on defense. I kind of fit in perfectly.”
Opportunity and fit made Tennessee a strong landing spot for Abram as did the opportunity to play for the Vols’ veteran head coach Rick Barnes and his coaching staff.
More From RTI: Louisiana Tech Transfer Shooting Guard Commits To Tennessee Basketball
“He’s just a great guy,” Abram said to Barnes. “Down to earth. Has a lot of legacy behind his name. I just feel like he has a good opportunity for me. … I just feel like the coaches were very welcoming and they have my best interest at heart.”
Abram ranks as a four-star and the No. 217 player in the transfer portal according to 247sports. On3 also ranks him as a four-star transfer and the No. 231 player in the portal.
While Abram is transferring from Louisiana Tech to Tennessee, he does bring SEC experience to Knoxville. The 6-foot-4 guard spent his freshman season at Ole Miss where he started 22 games and averaged eight points per game 36% shooting from three-point range.
With that SEC experience and the Vols having a strong team around the transfer guard, Abram comes to Tennessee with high team and person expectations.
“I want to win a national championship,” Abram said of his goals. “I want a defensive player of the year. I want to make First Team All-SEC and at the end I want to enter the NBA Draft.”
The Vols now have two scholarships to work with as they fill out their roster for the 2025-26 season. Abram’s addition gives Tennessee a key and necessary piece to the roster.
What does he want Vol fans to know about him before he gets to Knoxville?
“That I’m a great guy,” Abram said. “They’re going to love my game. They’re going to love me as a person and we’re going to have a lot of fun next season.”
