Kennesaw State transfer forward Braedan Lue officially signed with Tennessee basketball on Monday after committing to Rick Barnes and his staff over the weekend.
Lue is coming off a sophomore season at Kennesaw State where he averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 assists per game. The 6-foot-9, 235-pound power forward scored in double-figures 19 times last season and scored 20-plus points three separate times.
But defense is where Lue really shines. He’s a versatile defender who can protect the rim and earned Conference USA All-Defense honors a season ago.
“We are pleased to welcome Braedan and his family to our basketball program,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. “He is a superb young man with excellent character, which makes him an outstanding fit for our program. 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 Medenwald.”
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Lue started 66 of 68 games in his first two seasons at Kennesaw State while helping lead the Owls to the NCAA Tournament and a first round loss against Gonzaga last season. Lue shot 45.2% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range while making 23 triples over the course of the season.
Tennessee needed to add more rebounding and rim protection to its roster for next season and Lue brings that. He posted an 8.2 offensive rebound rate, a 12.2 defensive rebound rate and a 5.8 block rate last season. The offensive rebound rate ranked 424th nationally and the block rate ranked a 133rd nationally.
“I take a lot of pride in it (defense),” Lue told RTI. “It just comes with playing hard. That’s exactly what Coach Barnes wants. So I don’t have any choice but to give it to him.”
In Tennessee’s front court, Lue joins returnee DeWayne Brown Jr and Loyola (Chicago) center Miels Rubin. The Vols are still looking to add one more big man to their roster for next season while four-star prep signee Chris Washington Jr. and Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson can also play the four-spot.
At the time of publication, the Vols have three scholarships to work with as they fill out their roster for ext season. They remain in hot pursuit of Wake Forest combo guard Juke Harris.
