Tennessee Basketball saw six players depart the program through the transfer portal this offseason. And with the final one finding his home before the weekend, all six players have officially found their next program for the 2026-2027 season.
Following a run to the Elite Eight, Tennessee lost six of the pieces from its roster. Four of them were contributors on the court, one spent the season injured, and one was a depth piece that didn’t see much on-court time. Those players included guard Bishop Boswell, forward J.P. Estrella, forward Jaylen Carey, guard Amari Evans, forward Cade Phillips, and guard Clarence Massamba. When also factoring in graduations, Tennessee was left with just two returning players in forward DeWayne Brown and guard Troy Henderson.
This was by design, though, as Tennessee opted for production over retention in its portal efforts.
“We were looking for production over retention, and I think we’ve done that,” Barnes said about the Vols’ new pieces. “But these guys are, they’ll build their own team. You got to do it every year anyway. It doesn’t matter if you got guys coming back, a bunch of guys, you still have to build a new team every year.”
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Half of Tennessee’s outgoing group is staying in the SEC and will likely see the Volunteers at some point next season. Here’s a look at where each departing Vol landed in the portal:
Guard Bishop Boswell
- 6.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG
- Committed to: Maryland
Forward J.P. Estrella
- 10.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 0.8 APG
- Committed to: Michigan
Forward Jaylen Carey
- 7.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 APG
- Committed to: Missouri
Guard Amari Evans
- 4.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.8 APG
- Committed to: Texas
Forward Cade Phillips
- 4.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.6 APG (2024-2025)
- Committed to: Texas A&M
Guard Clarence Massamba
- 0.3 PPG, 0.3 RPG, 0.3 APG
- Committed to: UC Davis
Tennessee hasn’t been dragging its feet in the portal, though. The Vols have hauled in six transfer signees over the last few weeks and may not be done yet. Tennessee has opted for offensive strength in the portal and went out to find some difference makers, including point guards Dai Dai Ames and Terrence Hill Jr., and guards Tyler Lundblade and Jalen Haralson. The Vols have also added some size with 6-foot-10 Miles Rubin and 6-foot-9 Braeden Lue.
Tennessee is also in the hunt for transfer guard/forward Juke Harris, who is On3’s top-rated transfer portal prospect.
The Vols’ transfer portal class currently ranks fourth in the nation in 247’s team rankings.
