Lady Vols basketball and Kim Caldwell were forced to build an entire roster from essentially scratch this offseason. With all eight potential returners leaving and five-star high school signee Oliviyah Edwards also departing, Caldwell just had incoming freshman Gabby Minus signed up for the 2026-27 season.
In response, Caldwell went out and signed 13 transfers and an additional incoming freshman to fill out the team’s 15-player roster.
“We had to do it quickly,” Caldwell said of her staff’s portal recruiting. “I am really pleased with the work that we put in over three weeks. We wanted to make sure that we constructed our roster in a way that balanced each other, that we had players that could fit in multiple roles and could shoot the ball.
“The biggest thing is we wanted to recruit heart and people that wanted to work hard and people that knew what was at stake. We really tried to hammer that home in our visits of how hard it was going to be and see if they were up to the challenge, and they all were.”
Caldwell also brings in two new assistant coaches. To replace the departing Gabe Lazo and fired Roman Tubner, she brought in Florida State associate head coach Bill Ferrara and Georgia assistant Isoken Uzamere.
The new assistants quickly got to work with the returning staff to put together this year’s roster.
“I think it’s pretty clear that we chased production and players that produced, and obviously some things translate better when you jump in levels,” Caldwell said. “When you look at three-point shooting, the three-point line doesn’t move back. You obviously check out the film, numbers, stats across the board.”
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Here’s a recap of each new signee and what Caldwell said about each:
Incoming Transfers
G Avery Mills (Liberty)
“Avery Mills brings toughness, leadership and sharp shooting that will translate to the SEC immediately. She is a great player and an even better person. Her impact on our team will be great, both on and off the floor.”
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Year: Junior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 15.3 points
- 4.0 rebounds
- 2.2 assists
G Naomi White (Northern Arizona)
“Naomi White was one of the most prolific scorers in the country as a freshman last season. She is able to score in a multitude of ways that will translate to our offensive scheme perfectly.”
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Year: R-Sophomore
- 2025-26 stats:
- 20.8 points
- 5.3 rebounds
- 1.8 assists
F Harper Peterson (Stanford)
“Harper Peterson is a player who will affect the ball on both ends of the floor. Her shot making ability paired with her length on the defensive end will be a huge value for us.”
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Year: R-Sophomore
- 2025-26 stats:
- 1.1 points
- 0.7 rebounds
- 0.1 assists
F Zhen Craft (Georgia)
“Zhen Craft is a passionate player with a huge upside. With the freedom she will have here, offensively, I know she will grow tremendously. She is a proven player in the SEC, and I cannot wait to coach her.”
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Year: Sophomore
- 2025-26 stats:
- 5.7 points
- 4.2 rebounds
- 1.0 assists
G Rylie Theuerkauf (Georgia)
“Rylie Theuerkauf is a proven SEC player and one of the best shooters in the country. She has so much more to her game that I cannot wait for her to showcase this season. She brings an intense, competitive mindset that our fans will enjoy.”
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Year: Senior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 11.9 points
- 2.0 rebounds
- 1.1 assists
G Harissoum Coulibaly (Auburn)
“Harissoum Coulibaly is an extreme athlete who will thrive in our defensive system. She is a downhill player who will push pace for us, offensively, and she joins us with proven scoring ability in the SEC.”
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Year: Sophomore
- 2025-26 stats:
- 10.4 points
- 3.0 rebounds
- 1.6 assists
F Fatmata Janneh (Texas A&M)
“Fatmata Janneh brings a huge personality and a blue-collar mentality to Tennessee. She is one of the best rebounders in the country, and our fans will absolutely love her.”
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Year: Senior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 11.4 points
- 9.7 rebounds
- 1.1 assists
G Kaylene Smikle (Maryland)
“Kaylene Smikle is an elite scorer and a two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection. She can score in a variety of ways and will be a match-up problem for opponents.”
- Height: 6-foot
- Year: R-Senior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 13.1 points
- 3.9 rebounds
- 1.6 assists
G Shaelyn Steele (Penn State)
“Shae Steele is an athletic guard and an elite defender. She will fit in perfectly in our press defense and will cause chaos all over the floor. She plays extremely hard, and our fans will love her.”
- Height: 5-foot-6
- Year: Junior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 1.8 points
- 2.7 rebounds
- 1.1 assists
G Jada Eads (Seton Hall)
“Jada Eads is a dynamic playmaker who is ready to lead us on the offensive and defensive ends. Her defensive presence will be challenging for our opponents. She is hungry to get back on the court and will work relentlessly to get there.”
- Height: 5-foot-7
- Year: Junior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 10.6 points
- 5.1 rebounds
- 4.1 assists
F Aaliyah Moore (Texas)
“Aaliyah Moore has a grit and toughness about her that are invaluable. Her experience playing in the SEC as well as having history with the NCAA Tournament will be huge for us once we get into conference play. I’m excited for her to take a huge step this season.”
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Year: Sixth Year
- 2025-26 stats:
- DNP
- 2024-25 stats:
- 7.9 points
- 4.6 rebounds
- 0.7 assists
G Kennedy Fauntleroy (East Carolina)
“Kennedy Fauntleroy brings tenacity and fire to our point guard position. Her pace and pressure will impact us immediately. She will fill up the stat sheet on both ends of the floor by finding shooters in transition and getting steals in the full court.”
- Height: 5-foot-7
- Year: R-Senior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 13.7 points
- 3.4 rebounds
- 4.8 assists
F Riley Makalusky (West Virginia)
“Riley Makalusky is an efficient scorer with great shooting ability. Her length and size paired with her NCAA Tournament experience will propel us forward immediately.”
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Year: Senior
- 2025-26 stats:
- 4.7 points
- 2.0 rebounds
- 0.4 assists
Incoming Freshmen
G Gabby Minus
“Gabby Minus is a tough-nosed, hard-working player who will come in as a freshman and have a lasting impact. Her passion and love for the University of Tennessee are contagious. I am really excited about coaching Gabby.”
- Height: 6-foot
- Year: Freshman
G Irene Oboavwoduo
“Irene Oboavwoduo brings professional basketball experience and is considered a rising star of basketball at the national level in Great Britain. We are excited for her to get here. Her play-making ability and size on the perimeter will serve her well in the SEC.”
- Height: 5-foot-10
- Year: Freshman
