Tennessee Basketball has seven players and six scholarship spots less than two weeks after the second Elite Eight in program history.
Forward Jonas Aidoo became the fourth Vol to enter the transfer portal on Thursday since the season ended on March 31. He joins forward Tobe Awaka and redshirt freshman guards Freddie Dilione V and DJ Jefferson.
Here’s what you should know:
Where is Tennessee basketball headed? Start with Darlinstone Dubar
Tennessee is hosting Hofstra guard Darlinstone Dubar on an official visit this weekend, its first visitor and potential addition to the portal. The 6-foot-2, 211-pound senior averaged 17.8 points and shot 39.9 percent on 3-pointers last season.
This is the starting point. The Vols will now likely need to shore up the interior with the departure of their two big men. Expect the Vols to look for more perimeter scoring and another versatile four. The point guard depth would be ideal without a true backup behind senior Zakai Zeigler.
JP Estrella is in the spotlight for Tennessee basketball
JP Estrella faced Purdue and 7-foot-1 center Zach Edey in the NCAA Tournament, when Aidoo struggled mightily. The second-year player showed potential throughout the season and then made his final impression the best.
The Maine native was a highly regarded recruit and the Vols believe he has a bright future. He would already take on a bigger role next season. That’s a guarantee now. Cade Phillips also showed potential as a freshman and could contribute double-digit minutes next season.
Could Tobe Awaka return to Tennessee basketball?
Awaka’s choice of transfer portal made sense. He played some of his best basketball games in the NCAA tournament. When he entered the portal on Wednesday, the Vols were expected to have Aidoo back in their starting five, with Estrella seeking a larger role. It wasn’t likely that Awaka would start with Aidoo’s return. He could, without Aidoo.
But could Awaka return to Tennessee from the portal? The Vols haven’t had any players come and go before, so Awaka would be the first.
TRACKER: Tennessee basketball transfer tracker: Who’s in and out of Rick Barnes’ lineup
No surprises with Freddie Dilione V and DJ Jefferson entering the portal
If ever there was a guarantee after the season, it was Dilione’s entry into the portal. Dilione didn’t earn much of a role in his first full season at Tennessee. He signed up early to get a head start, then the roster outlook changed when UT added Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey and brought back Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi. It just never seemed to work for Dilione at UT.
Likewise, Jefferson played three minutes in two seasons. He redshirted one and had no role in the other. It was an obvious time to part ways.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @By Mike Wilson. If you like Mike’s coverage, consider a digital signature which will allow you access to all of this.
This article originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel: Breaking down Tennessee basketball’s transfer portal situation, roster
