Tennessee basketball landed its second commitment in the 2026 recruiting cycle Friday evening, landing four-star wing Manny Green committing to Rick Barnes and his staff.
Green committed to the Vols just two weeks after officially visiting the program, choosing Tennessee over a top group that included Auburn, Cal, Georgia Tech and South Florida. Why was Tennessee the right spot for Green.
“I feel like it’s the right spot because they have a good opportunity. High power four, elite program,” Green told RTI Friday. “It fits me and the grit that I play with. It fits right around with me. … Everything that comes with the school just fits me.”
Green is best known on the prep circuit as an elite perimeter defender. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound wing has the physical tools to be a great perimeter defender but also has a mindset that maximizes his defensive capabilities and matches Tennessee’s program identity.
“It matches up with it a lot,” Green said. “From how I’ve been coached in high school to how Rick Barnes coaches. How the premier players he’s had through the program and that he has coached, that’s the main thing— you got to have that to play for him.”
Green ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 101 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. 247sports own rankings are higher on Green, tabbing him as the No. 91 overall player in the 2026 class and the No. 4 player in the state of Georgia.
While recruiting services categorize Green as a power forward, Tennessee sees Green as a true wing. Rick Barnes and his staff most like Green’s defensive abilities but also believe he has the potential to be a strong offensive player. Green is a good athlete with a solid shot, shooting at a solid clip from three-point range and the foul line during the EYBL circuit.
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“My offensive game is very versatile, smooth and lethal,” Green said. “Getting to the rim, finishing with hard dunks and they’re going to use me coming off screens, back door cuts, curls getting to my shot. Using that high arc on my shot.”
Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky was the lead recruiter for Green. Polinsky first reached out to Green the summer entering his junior season. The Vols early belief in Green “was very important” in their ability to land Green, as was his relationship with Polinsky.
“It’s just like a granddad. A granddad, uncle, however you want to call it,” Green said. “Coach Polinsky, every since I first talked to him, it’s been all love. He’s been real with me the whole time.”
The Atlanta native’s relationship with Barnes is not as longstanding as his relationship with Polinsky, but learning more about Barnes and watching him coach up close during his official visit was a key reason Green decided that Tennessee is the right spot for him.
“My relationship with Coach Barnes is pretty tight,” Green said. “He tells me he loves me all the time. He calls and texts and on the visits, I got to really know that he is the real deal. If you want to be a pro, that’s the guy to go to.”
Green is Tennessee’s second commit in its 2026 recruiting class, joining fellow four-star wing Ralph Scott. The duo have different skillsets but make for a strong start to the class. What does Green want Tennessee fans to know about him now that he’s a Vol?
“I want Tennessee fans to know that I’m a very loving person,” Green said. “I love everybody and they can love me. And they can have somebody ready to light up Rocky Top.”
