Everyone loves shiny new toys, which is why Tennessee’s stellar eight-man transfer portal class has gotten so much attention during the offseason so far. It’s chock-full of productive names, such as Juke Harris, Terrence Hill, and Jalen Haralson. Tennessee went out and made a statement by reloading its roster with experience in the portal, and it resulted in the top-ranked portal class in the nation by ESPN.
But there’s another player who will climb back into Tennessee fans’ minds soon enough after a productive freshman season in Knoxville last year. Forward DeWayne Brown was one of two scholarship players who returned to the Vols, and he explained that decision to the media back in April.
“I like being here,” Brown said. “This is where I want to be. It wasn’t really a hard decision for me to make the decision to stay. Like I said, it’s where I want to be. I like Coach (Barnes), I like the program, I like what Tennessee stands for.”
Brown is coming off a freshman season in where he played in 35 games, started 10 games and averaged 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He shot an efficient 58.6% from the field and was a solid 66% from the foul line. Brown averaged 8.5 minutes per game in the NCAA Tournament with his best game coming in the Elite Eight loss against Michigan when he totaled six points, two rebounds, one assist and one block in 12 minutes of action.
After solid production during his first season at the college level, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein has named Brown as one his five breakout player candidates for the 2026-2027 season. Rothstein also included Florida’s Isaiah Brown, Kentucky’s Malachi Moreno, Alabama’s London Jemison, and Ole Miss’ Patton Pinkins on the list.
“DeWayne Brown, who I think is an underrated piece for Tennessee, who lost a lot up front with J.P. Estrella going to Michigan and Felix Okpara exhuasting his eligibility,” Rothstein said on his SEC Preview podcast. “I think Brown will have a big role for Tennessee.”
While Rick Barnes certainly isn’t approaching these waters just yet, Rothstein gave his own projection for Tennessee’s starting lineup last week. He’s got a four-guard lineup with Terrence Hill, Dai Dai Ames, Juke Harris, and Jalen Haralson, along with Miles Rubin at the center position. But as we know, Barnes will tweak and tinker with things throughout the season, whether it be on a short term or long term basis. And even if Brown isn’t in the starting lineup, he should be a dangerous piece off the bench.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Basketball coverage this offseason.
