Tennessee basketball set to host highly coveted 4-star guard in recruiting battle with Kansas

Tennessee basketball set to host highly coveted 4-star guard in recruiting battle with Kansas originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball are coming off their third straight Elite Eight appearance. However, they have fallen just short in all three. With Tennessee being so close to a Final Four, they have increased their NIL spending for Rick Barnes and the basketball program.

“Tennessee basketball is on track to be among the elite in NIL spending next season. On3’s Pete Nakos on Thursday reported the Vols are one of a handful of teams set to spend $10 million or more in NIL for its roster next season,” VolQuest’s Grant Ramey wrote.

Barnes and his staff have already started bringing in some big-time names. One of those is Jalen Haralson, a Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball transfer who visited on Tuesday.

“Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson is set to arrive on campus later today. The six-foot-seven, 220 pound wing averaged 16.2 points on 51.5% shooting from the field. Haralson was a McDonald’s All-American, Team USA U17 member, and a five-star recruit in the 2025 class,” Vols reporter William Patteson posted.

On Wednesday, the Vols are also taking a shot at one of the most coveted guards in Terrence Hill Jr., bringing him in for a visit to Rocky Top.

“VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr. will visit both Kansas and Tennessee this week, source tells 247 Sports. Hill will visit Kansas on Monday and Tennessee on Wednesday,” 247 Sports’ Dushawn London posted.

The good news for Barnes and his staff is that Hill Jr. is making it to campus for his visit. Bill Self is returning for at least another season at Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball, and he is also expected to be aggressive in building his roster.

Hill Jr. is ranked as the No. 19 player in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. Landing a commitment from him before he leaves campus would be a major win for Tennessee, as Barnes has already had success securing commitments from players shortly after their visits this portal season.