Ralph Scott, one of the biggest summer risers in the 2026 recruiting class, officially visited Tennessee basketball over the weekend as he continues a run of official visits and targets a fall commitment.
It was Scott’s first visit to Tennessee and veteran head coach Rick Barnes’ track record is what most stood out to the four-star recruit on his visit.
“I would say the coaching staff is great,” Scott told RTI. “Coach Barnes and the history he has in the game— the players he’s coached and the legacy he has is really nice.”
Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky is the lead recruiter for Scott and calls him “often” since the Vols began intensifying their recruiting efforts back early in the summer. But Scott’s official visit to Tennessee allowed him to better get to know Barnes.
What Scott learned is that Barnes isn’t always the super serious coach that he sees coaching on television.
“Impressions before (the visit) were that he seemed like a really serious coach, seeing him on TV and all that,” Scott said. “Obviously the legacy of, coaching a great player like KD, TJ Ford, Marcus Alldridge, all those great players. But in person he’s a really down to earth guy. I like his belief too. His faith is really nice.”
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A Bermuda native who stars at IMG Academy in Florida, Scott ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 37 player in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-7, 190-pound prospect also ranks as the No. 17 wing in the class.
Scott is a talented shooter led by a strong shooting prowess and also has incredibly versatility with his 6-foot-7 frame and long wingspan. Tennessee is selling him on being the next great wing player in Barnes’ system.
“They were saying Kevin Durant, Dalton Knecht where I can get open shots,” Scott said of his film session with the coaches. “Get into the midrange. The same type of stuff that Nate Ament is going to be doing. Getting open shots, getting to the rim and playing defense one through five. Being a pest.”
Scott’s recruitment has become a heavy hitter in recent months. He officially visited Houston and Texas A&M the last two weeks and has official visits scheduled to Purdue in a few weeks and another to Syracuse in October. The blue-chip recruit wants to make a decision later in the fall after completing his five official visits.
“I really liked it,” Scott said of Tennessee. “I have to go back and think about everything compared to everything. But I really enjoyed it and can see myself being something here.”
