VCU transfer big man Christian Fermin committed to Tennessee basketball on Thursday afternoon, On3’s Joe Tipton first reported. The 6-foot-10 center fills the final roster spot for Tennessee entering the 2026-27 season.
The rising redshirt senior big man visited Tennessee basketball on Wednesday before committing on Thursday.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound center spent the first four years of his collegiate career at VCU before entering the transfer portal. Fermin produced in both his sophomore and junior seasons before tacking a leave of absence for the vast majority of his senior season.
As a junior, Fermin averaged 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 19.4 minutes of action per game. The Pennsylvania native’s best statistical season came as a sophomore when he averaged 5.2 points, 4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 21.4 minutes per game. Fermin started all 38 games for the Rams that season.
Fermin played in just four games last season for the Rams before stepping away from the program due to a personal matter. Tennessee worked out Fermin on his visit and was impressed by his cardio conditioning after not playing last season.
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While Fermin is not a high-level offensive player, he is a strong rim protector— especially considering the lack of big men still available in the portal. He posted a 7.7% block rate as a junior and a 7.9% block rate as a sophomore. Those marks ranked 50th and 46th nationally, respectively.
Tennessee wanted to add a depth big man body with its final scholarship this offseason and Fermin gives them just that with his experience in the A10 and solid defensive resume.
Fermin joins a front line that includes rising sophomore DeWayne Brown, Loyola (Chicago) transfer Miles Rubin and Kennesaw State transfer Braedan Lue.
The Vols lost four big men from last season’s team with Felix Okpara out of eligibility while J.P. Estrella (Michigan), Jaylen Carey (Missouri) and Cade Phillips (Texas A&M) all entered the transfer portal following the season.
Tennessee’s roster is officially set for next season and includes eight incoming transfers. VCU transfer combo guard Terrence Hill Jr, Cal combo guard Dai Dai Ames, Wake Forest guard Juke Harris, Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade, Notre Dame wing Jalen Haralson, Lue, Fermin and Rubin make up the group of incoming transfers.
