Tennessee basketball has secured a commitment from Chris Washington Jr., the top high school player in the state. The 6-foot-9 forward chose the Vols over several other top programs during a live ceremony.
Key points
Chris Washington Jr. is the top high school player in Tennessee.
He committed to Tennessee during a live ceremony on CBS Sports.
Washington Jr. is a 6-foot-9 forward weighing 195 pounds.
He chose Tennessee over Ole Miss, Auburn, Villanova, and Southern California.
Tennessee has added four transfers this offseason.
Chris Washington Jr.Tennessee VolunteersOle MissAuburn
Tennessee basketball lands Chris Washington Jr., top high school player in state
Tennessee basketball's high school recruiting class might be as good as its transfer portal haul.
Chris Washington Jr., the top-ranked player in Tennessee, committed to the Vols during a live ceremony on CBS Sports on April 16. He's the latest addition in an offseason where Tennessee has added four transfers, including redshirt junior guard Tyler Lunblade (Belmont), junior guard Dai Dai Ames (California), junior center Miles Rubin (Loyola Chicago) and freshman forward Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame).
The 6-foot-9, 195-pound high school forward narrowed his top choices down to Ole Miss, Auburn, Villanova and Southern California before picking Tennessee and coach Rick Barnes.
Washington committed to Alabama on Sept. 8, then reopened his recruitment on Nov. 17.
Q&A
Who is Chris Washington Jr. and why is he significant for Tennessee basketball?
Chris Washington Jr. is the top-ranked high school basketball player in Tennessee, and his commitment strengthens the Vols' recruiting class.
What other players has Tennessee basketball added this offseason?
Tennessee has added four transfers: Tyler Lunblade, Dai Dai Ames, Miles Rubin, and Jalen Haralson.
Which schools did Chris Washington Jr. consider before committing to Tennessee?
Before committing to Tennessee, Chris Washington Jr. considered Ole Miss, Auburn, Villanova, and Southern California.
What impact could Chris Washington Jr. have on Tennessee's basketball team?
As a highly ranked forward, Chris Washington Jr. is expected to make a significant impact on Tennessee's performance in upcoming seasons.
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Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Tennessee forward DeWayne Brown II (6) moves towards the basket while guarded by Texas forward Camden Heide (5) in an NCAA college basketball game on January 6, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee guard Troy Henderson (24) dribbles past Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during a NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 17, 2026.
Feb 7, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jalen Haralson (10) drives to the basket as Florida State Seminoles guard Lajae Jones (10) defends during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Jan 2, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears guard Dai Dai Ames (7) looks to drive around Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Braeden Shrewsberry (11) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Belmont's Tyler Lundblade, right, lines up one of his three-pointers against Bradley in the second half of their MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade dropped eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins 80-77.
Mar 15, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Loyola Chicago Ramblers center Miles Rubin (24) shoots the ball as VCU Rams forward Luke Bamgboye (9) defends in the first half in a semifinal of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
IMG's Ralph Scott blocks a dunk attempt at IMG Academy on Feb. 7, 2025.
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Tennessee forward DeWayne Brown II (6) moves towards the basket while guarded by Texas forward Camden Heide (5) in an NCAA college basketball game on January 6, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Tennessee guard Troy Henderson (24) dribbles past Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) during a NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 17, 2026.
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Feb 7, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jalen Haralson (10) drives to the basket as Florida State Seminoles guard Lajae Jones (10) defends during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Jan 2, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears guard Dai Dai Ames (7) looks to drive around Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Braeden Shrewsberry (11) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Belmont's Tyler Lundblade, right, lines up one of his three-pointers against Bradley in the second half of their MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade dropped eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins 80-77.
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
Mar 15, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Loyola Chicago Ramblers center Miles Rubin (24) shoots the ball as VCU Rams forward Luke Bamgboye (9) defends in the first half in a semifinal of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Tennessee basketball 2026-27 roster for Rick Barnes with transfer portal additions
IMG's Ralph Scott blocks a dunk attempt at IMG Academy on Feb. 7, 2025.
Washington led Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to two consecutive TSSAA state championships in Division II-A during his junior and senior seasons.
Washington is a four-star prospect and the No. 43 player in the country in the 247Sports Composite. He transferred from The Villages Charter School in Florida.
Tennessee's 2026 high school recruitment class now includes two fringe top 50 prospects and three four-star players. Ralph Scott, a 6-8 forward, is the No. 53 player in the country. The Vols also added 6-6 four-star wing Manny Green and 6-1 three-star guard Marquis Clark.
