Four-star center Favour Ibe committed to Virginia basketball over Tennessee on Saturday afternoon, Rivals’ Joe Tipton first reported. Ibe officially visited Tennessee last weekend before taking an official visit to Virginia earlier this week and choosing the Cavaliers over the Vols.
Ibe ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 139 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. He also ranks as the No. 22 center in his class and the No. 5 overall prep prospect in Maryland.
Ibe played his prep basketball at Mt. Zion Prep Academy in Maryland. The Warriors posted a 14-11 record during the 2025-26 season. He boasts 11 offers including from Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Villanova. However, Villanova is the only school that the prep center visited.
A 7-foot-1, 235-pound center, Ibe is a true rim protector who can protect the basket but also score inside and provide a lob threat on the offensive end of the court.
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Tennessee is still looking to add another big man to its roster before next season. The vols’ current front court includes rising-sophomore DeWayne Brown as well as Loyola (Chicago) center Miles Rubin and Kennesaw State power forward Braedan Lue out of the transfer portal.
The Vols still have one scholarships remaining for next season as they look to add one more big man to their roster before next season.
Four-star wing Chris Washington Jr and Notre Dame wing Jalen Haralson are capable of playing as small ball four-men if need be, but Tennessee still needed to add more inside help to its roster. Ibe provides that and will have a real chance to earn playing time as a freshman.
The Vols are closing in on completing their roster for next season. Tennessee has signed four prep prospects to date including three-star point guard Marquis Clark, four-star guard Manny Green, four-star wing Ralph Scott and four-star forward Chris Washington Jr.
Rick Barnes and his staff have landed six players in the transfer portal including Rubin, Lue, Haralson, VCU combo guard Terrence Hill Jr, Cal combo guard Dai Dai Ames and Belmont sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade.
