Tennessee basketball has secured a top transfer portal class, now ranked No. 1 after adding Juke Harris. Coach Rick Barnes aims to enhance the team's offense with two remaining roster spots.
Key points
Tennessee basketball has a top-ranked transfer portal class.
The Vols secured the No. 1 spot after adding Juke Harris.
Rick Barnes aims to improve the team's offense.
Tennessee found high-end scoring at every position.
The team is generating buzz as a Final Four contender.
Mentioned in this story
NCAA
Tennessee VolunteersJuke Harris
What Rick Barnes could address for Tennessee basketball with two roster spots
Tennessee basketball entered May already with one of the best transfer portal classes in the country. Coach Rick Barnes wanted to improve the offense, and the Vols found high-end scoring at every position.
Adding Harris rocketed Tennessee to the No. 1 spot and and more buzz about being a Final Four contender in the Men's NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee has 13 scholarship players on its roster with seven portal signees, four high school recruits, and two returning players from last season's Elite Eight squad. It can add two more to meet the Division I roster limit of 15 players.
Barnes and his staff have done well to cover any glaring needs through the portal. With space still available, though, Tennessee is expected to continue adding depth. Ask North Carolina and Louisville, two teams who lost their superstar freshmen to injury, about the importance of roster depth, especially in the NCAA Tournament.
Here's a look at Tennessee's roster, and what positions it could address with the final two roster spots.
Q&A
How did Tennessee basketball's transfer portal class rank after adding Juke Harris?
Tennessee's transfer portal class is now ranked No. 1 in the country after the addition of Juke Harris.
What positions did Tennessee basketball improve with their transfer portal additions?
Tennessee improved scoring at every position with their transfer portal additions.
Who is Juke Harris and why is his commitment significant for Tennessee basketball?
Juke Harris is a guard from Wake Forest, and his commitment significantly boosts Tennessee's chances as a Final Four contender.
What are Rick Barnes' goals for Tennessee basketball with the current roster changes?
Rick Barnes aims to enhance the team's offense and leverage the two remaining roster spots effectively.
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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.
Tennessee basketball roster outlook
Barnes prefers to divide his roster positions into guards, wings and forwards as the more traditional positions phase out of modern basketball. The Vols currently have five guards, five wings and three forwards.
Tennessee lost its top six scorers from last season. Guard Bishop Boswell (Maryland), forward J.P. Estrella (Michigan) and forward Jaylen Carey (Missouri) all transferred. Seniors Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara depleted their college eligibility and will turn to professional careers along with freshman forward Nate Ament, who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Guards Amari Evans (Texas) and Clarence Massamba (UC Davis) and forward Cade Phillips (Texas A&M) also transferred. The Vols' seven portal additions bring a combined 85.9 points, 23.8 rebounds and 12.9 assists per game through 322 career starts.
Here's a glimpse at the depth chart for the 2026-27 season.
Guards
Dai Dai Ames, 6-foot-2 Cal transfer, one year eligibility
Marquis Clark, 6-1 high school signee, four years eligibility
Troy Henderson, 6-1 Tennessee returner, three years eligibility
Terrence Hill Jr., 6-3 VCU transfer, two years eligibility
Tyler Lundblade, 6-5 Belmont grad transfer, one year eligibility
Wings
Manny Green, 6-6 high school signee, four years eligibility
Jalen Haralson, 6-7 Notre Dame transfer, three years eligibility
Juke Harris, 6-7 Wake Forest transfer, two years eligibility
Ralph Scott, 6-8 high school signee, four years eligibility
Chris Washington Jr., 6-9 high school signee, four years eligibility
Forwards
DeWayne Brown II, 6-8 Tennessee returner, three years eligibility
Braedan Lue, 6-9 Kennesaw State transfer, two years eligibility
Miles Rubin, 6-10 Loyola (Chicago) transfer, one year eligibility
Remaining needs for Tennessee basketball
The current roster displays a lack of depth in the frontcourt rotation. Tennessee had five forwards entering last season, though it was cut down to four after Phillips' season-ending shoulder injury.
The Vols fared well with injuries to Estrella and Okpara because of their forward depth. In its current state, an injury would force them to play small by moving Haralson or one of the freshman wings into the post. Tennessee recently hosted high school recruit Favour Ibe, a 7-1 center from Maryland, per media reports. The four-star recruit and No. 5 player in the state could help fortify the frontcourt room.
Another facilitating, pass-first point guard could also prove useful for the Vols. Hill is slotted in that role now as a potential starter, though both Ames and Henderson will likely be asked to handle playmaking responsibilities. Ames has never averaged more than 2.2 assists per game in his career, and Henderson's freshman season was stunted by injury. Another ballhandling guard could relieve pressure in the backcourt.
