Tennessee basketball filled its final roster spot for next season on Thursday afternoon when VCU center Christian Fermin committed to the Vols shortly after completing an official visit.
Fermin played just four games before leaving the VCU team last season. But as a junior, Fermin averaged 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
What is Tennessee getting in Fermin and how will they use him? Taking a look here.
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What Are Fermin’s Strengths?
The main strength is his ability to protect the rim. He’s blocked 111 shots in his college career while averaging 1.4 blocks per game in both his sophomore and junior seasons.
As a sophomore, Fermin posted a 7.9% block rate that ranked 46th nationally. As a junior, Fermin posted a 7.7% block rate that ranked 50th nationally.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound center, Fermin has the resume of a solid rebounder. He is better as an offensive rebounder than as a defensive rebounder. Fermin’s 9.5% offensive rebound rate as a junior ranked 296th nationally while his 11.1% offensive rebound rate as a sophomore ranked 145th nationally.
How Will Tennessee Use Fermin?
Tennessee isn’t going to ask Fermin to do a ton. He’s going to be a bench piece that provides interior defense and rebounding. The Vols could play him as a lone big man but could also pair him with DeWayne Brown, Miles Rubin or Braedan Lue in big lineups.
Offensively, Fermin will be a screener and a potential interior scoring threat. As a junior, Fermin took 109 of his 119 shots in the paint including 68 at the rim. He will not be a vocal point of Tennessee’s offense.
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Questions About Fermin’s Game
With four years in college and three full seasons under his belt, there’s not a ton of questions about Fermin’s game at this point in his career. Fermin does not have a super advanced offensive game though he has had marginally more back to the basket success then one would success given his modest scoring numbers.
The biggest actual question is the same question that Loyola (Chicago) center transfer Miles Rubin has to answer— how effective will he be protecting the rim against SEC competition compared to the A10.
Now, the A10 is a good league even though it’s not a power five conference. His career block percentages are high against Tier A and B competition according to KenPom. That’s a reason for optimism about his Fermin’s rim protection will translate to the SEC.
What Fermin’s Commitment Means For Tennessee Basketball?
Fermin gives Tennessee a fourth true big man along with Rubin, Kennesaw State transfer Braedan Lue and rising sophomore DeWayne Brown. The Vols needed to added one more capable rim protecting big man. Time will tell whether Fermin provides that, but his sophomore and junior seasons provide reasons to think he can provide 10-15 solid minutes per game.
The Vols now have a full roster for their 2026-27 season. Tennessee now turns its attention to the 2027 recruiting cycle and the start of summer workouts when the majority of the team reports to campus later this month.
