Tennessee basketball’s 2026-27 roster is set. The Vols signed eight transfers and four freshmen to complement their returning pieces of Dewayne Brown II and Troy Henderson.
After each signing, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes gave his thoughts on what each player is bringing to Knoxville. Here’s what he said about each incoming player.
More From RTI: Tennessee Transfer Tyler Lundblade Talks Vols’ Offensive Firepower | Vol Baseball & SEC Tournament Draw | The RTI Low-Down
Transfer Portal
Juke Harris (Wake Forest)
- Jr.
- 6-foot-7
- 200 pounds
Barnes: “We are thrilled Juke made the decision to join our program at Tennessee. Juke is not only an explosive talent, but also a humble young man from a great family. One of the premier scorers nationally, he possesses the ability to put the ball in the basket in numerous ways, from all over the floor. Juke can take over a game and impose his will at any time. He is a versatile player who can handle the ball in transition and has the length to make an impact defensively. As someone we were familiar with from his high school recruitment, Juke was a primary target for us as soon as the portal opened and he fits well with the roster we have assembled.”
Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU)
- Jr.
- 6-foot-3
- 180 pounds
Barnes: “Terrence comes from a great family and we are pleased to welcome them all to the Tennessee basketball program. He is a focused, mature and committed person who possesses clear leadership qualities. We are bringing Terrence here to make an immediate, significant impact and we feel great about his ability to do so. He is a dynamic player with speed, quickness, a strong basketball IQ and extreme confidence. Terrence can separate off the bounce and can put the ball in the basket from all three levels. He will mesh well with the way we run our offense.”
Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame)
- So.
- 6-foot-7
- 220 pounds
Barnes: “We are delighted to have Jalen joining the Tennessee basketball family and feel he is a superb fit here. Jalen has tremendous positional versatility on both sides of the floor, which is a valuable asset. He is an aggressive, downhill driver who does an excellent job of drawing fouls and getting to the line. Jalen can grab a rebound and get the break going, as he possesses a good handle, stellar passing ability and a high basketball IQ. He is well-suited for the pick-and-roll game and is also great at cutting to the rim. Jalen is looking forward to being part of our program and helping us win.”
Miles Rubin (Loyola [Chicago])
- Sr.
- 6-foot-10
- 220 pounds
Barnes: “We are pleased to have Miles and his family join us at Tennessee. He is an incredibly tough and hard-working player who loves to be a star in his role. Miles is an ideal fit in our defensive scheme as a sensational rim protector who can also defend one-on-one in the post and guard on the perimeter. Offensively, he is an impressive lob threat with really good hands, nice touch around the rim and quality passing ability. Miles is excited to play on a big stage, compete daily against elite competition and make a run in the NCAA Tournament, as well as work with Garrett Medenwald in the weight room.”
Dai Dai Ames (Cal)
- Sr.
- 6-foot-2
- 190 pounds
Barnes: “We are excited to welcome Dai Dai and his family to the Tennessee basketball program. He is an extremely competitive and coachable individual who really gels with our culture. Dai Dai can make shots in late-clock situations, which is a skill we were looking for in the portal. He is a crafty lefty with a strong frame who can finish at the rim through contact, as well as a superb movement shooter and an elite midrange scorer. All of that makes him a great fit for our system. Dai Dai really wants to be part of a winning team and contend for championships.”
Tyler Lundblade (Belmont)
- Sixth Year
- 6-foot-5
- 195 pounds
Barnes: “We are thrilled to start our portal class with Tyler, who is both an exceptional player and an impressive young man. There is no doubt Tyler is one of the very best shooters at the college level and he proved that in one of the nation’s premier conferences. He can score in a variety of ways, whether that is a catch-and-shoot, dribble-handoff or off-the-dribble situation. Tyler has consistently been a part of winning teams and he brings a great deal of experience, as well as a tireless work ethic, with him to Rocky Top.”
Braedan Lue (Kennesaw State)
- Jr.
- 6-foot-9
- 235 pounds
Barnes: “We are pleased to welcome Braedan and his family to our basketball program. He is a superb young man with excellent character, which makes him an outstanding fit for our program,” Barnes said. “Braedan is a fast and twitchy player who possesses big-time athleticism, a sturdy frame and an elite wingspan. He is a proven winner, a great teammate and an impactful defender who is willing to play any role to help his team. Braedan is excited for the chance to compete at the highest level and he looks forward to working with Garrett Medewald.”
Christian Fermin (VCU)
- R-Sr.
- 6-foot-10
- 225 pounds
Barnes: “We are happy to welcome Christian to the Tennessee basketball family. He is a special young man who is battle-tested on the court and is a proven winner. Christian possesses natural leadership skills and can light up any room with his energy and enthusiasm. He will really fit our culture as a person, in addition to bringing the size, length and defensive versatility we were searching for. Christian has shown the impact he can make as a shot blocker, but he also has a unique blend of skill and feel offensively. We are confident he will quickly adapt to our style of play at both ends of the floor.”
More From RTI: ‘We All Do Different Things’: Tyler Lundblade Talks Versatility in Vols’ High-Powered Portal Class
Incoming Freshmen
All rankings via 247
Christopher Washington Jr.
- 4-star
- No. 49 nationally
- 6-foot-9
- 195 pounds
Barnes: “We are happy to add Chris to a high school class that we are really enthused about. Chris is a truly special athlete and, without a doubt, one of the finest in the country at the prep level. He is particularly impactful in transition and leaping off one foot. He can also stretch the floor and knock down 3-point shots, as well as grab offensive rebounds. At the defensive end, Chris has all the tools to become elite and is someone who can guard four positions. We always prioritize keeping talented players in-state and feel Chris will fit in well here on Rocky Top.”
Ralph Scott
- 4-star
- No. 67 nationally
- 6-foot-8
- 180 pounds
Barnes: “We are thrilled to have Ralph and his family join us here on Rocky Top. Ralph burst on to the scene late and is still developing, but we are so excited about his immense potential, as he is a young man with so much in front of him. He is a legit 6-foot-8 wing with long arms who possesses both a tremendous feel for the game and an impressive ability to shoot the ball with excellent form. Ralph plays at a big-time prep program where he performs on a national stage against top-level competition, which will only help further prepare him for the rigors of the SEC.”
Manny Green
- 4-star
- No. 111 nationally
- 6-foot-6
- 205 pounds
Barnes: “We are happy to welcome Manny and his family to Tennessee basketball. Manny has an impressive mentality and a clear love for the game, to go along with a natural physicality to what he does on the floor. He is part of successful high school program that preaches toughness and togetherness, two things we really value, and he also comes from an athletic family. Manny has a great build that he will continue to develop and he has really blossomed offensively, but still has upside as both a shooter and a playmaker. We are pleased not only about who Manny is now as a player, but also about who he can become down the road.”
Marquis Clark
- 3-star
- No. 217 nationally
- 6-foot-1
- 175 pounds
Barnes: “We are quite pleased to have Marquis and his family coming aboard here at Tennessee. Marquis is a well-built, cerebral point guard with elite creativity who can make plays for himself and for others. He is a gym rat who is crafty off the bounce and has always been able to score, but has worked hard on his jump-shot the last two years. Marquis is a hungry competitor with a chip on his shoulder who fits the mold of other players who have had success on Rocky Top. He has been well-coached on the AAU and high school levels while playing for historic programs, which has prepared him well for big moments and hostile environments.”
