Every freshman across the sport has a “Welcome to College” moment at some point during their first year. In fact, there are probably two of those moments. One that happens in a summer practice, and one that happens during their first live season on the court.
It’s one of the more fun questions that’s asked to the freshmen players during summer practices, just to add some levity to the grueling slate. Tennessee freshman Ralph Scott said earlier in the summer that some post-practice sprints caused him to throw up to end the day.
Fellow freshman Marquis Clark didn’t have that exact moment himself, but his welcome-to-college moment did come with some cardio as well.
“I did,” Clark said when asked about his moment. “I ain’t thrown up, but coach, one time, sent to the VersaClimber like six, seven times in one practice. So that definitely was my welcome to college moment.”
The VersaClimber is something that the graduates of the Rick Barnes Academy of Cardio know all too well. It’s a machine that sits in the corner of Tennessee’s gym and is used for a quick punishment for a player who does something that Barnes doesn’t like. Whether it’s failing to execute a play that was just drawn up, being lazy on defense, not taking the right shot, or taking the wrong shot, these are all things that could have a player doing a few quick reps on the VersaClimber.
What is the VersaClimber, you ask? Whew. Here’s the machine in action:
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Rick Barnes’ practices are notoriously hard as he prepares his team to have the best cardio and work ethic in the nation. Kelvin Sampson’s Houston practices are sometimes referred to as the Navy SEALs training of college basketball, but Barnes’ workouts aren’t too far behind. They’re demanding, tough, and designed to push you in your game. But it’s all for the greater good.
Clark says that while Tennessee’s practices this summer have been hard, it’s what he signed up for.
“It’s been hard,” Clark candidly said of Barnes’ coaching. “Coming in, it was something new to me, but now I’m used to it. I’ve been used to it, but it’s definitely been hard. But that’s what I signed up for, for sure.”
Clark also says that he appreciates Barnes’ coaching style.
“Oh, yeah, for sure,” Clark said. “Every one of the best players, they want to get coached hard to get to the highest level, so that’s what it takes.”
The proof is in the pudding for Tennessee and Barnes’ coaching style. The Vols had 11 Barnes-era players suited up for NBA Summer League action earlier this month, and are one of just five schools to have an NBA Draft pick in the last six drafts. Players recognize that the training won’t be easy, but the results have a high ceiling.
Clark, a 6-foot-1 Chicago native from Whitney Young High School, was ranked as a three-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.
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