2026 Vols Transfer Portal Thread

[Jean-Claude van Manning]

Very physical double double threat. Has a SEC body and is probably a more athletic Jalen Carey.

Great games last year vs Liberty and FIU.

I think he had a double double against WKU as well.

12 pts 10 rebounds and 4 assists vs Alabama is nice too

 

[MoCo_Vol]

6'9" 230lbs and athletic...just 2 years in college, but 68 games with 66 starts and he's been a 26mpg.

The one knock to me is his 2 PT%... 52.6% but he is flirting with 30% from deep and close to 70% FT both seasons he's scored 10ppg and 5+rpg solid blocks as well and for a big has quite a few steals.

Seems like a good value piece

 

[StPeteVFL]

Are you worried about the height of the team?

I could care less about height. But I am worried about defense and rebounding.

I’ve already expressed my concern with defense plenty, but I think we are going to take a major step back on the boards. Especially if Haralson is playing much at the 4.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

That's not quite what I expected. Not the block machine or size we've been talking about. Maybe he's long. Just need someone to spell Rubin and eat fouls honestly.

50 blocks in 928 minutes this year, Okpara had 52 in 940 minutes.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Meh.. rebounding numbers are weak for a mid major big… He is all around solid at everything else, but really good at nothing. I’d say he will be behind Brown and Rubin. Was hoping for a more impactful big but appears we are shopping at Save-A-Lot for that spot.

Yes Larry, that’s logical.

 

[Skooter]

Being taller doesn’t mean better rebounder. Carey for example 3-4 inches shorter than JP but a better defensive rebounder because he used his body and both hands. Not being a ball watcher and anticipating where the rebound is going are key skills as well.

 

[tev.sm]

He’s 6’9” 235lbs, All-Defensive team, blocks shots, good FT shooter for a big, and actually has shown a willingness and ability to shoot the 3 ball although I’m not sure how much he’d do it here. Reminds me of the kind of 5 men Houston has had in recent years, long arms, high motor, athlete.

I like the potential addition as a depth piece. Slightly concerned about the 3 fouls/game, seems as if that came with the physicality at Kennesaw State. I trust CRB and staff to coach how to defend without fouling.

 

[Ttucke11]

50 blocks in 928 minutes this year, Okpara had 52 in 940 minutes.

Fair enough. Rubin has my expectations skewed maybe.

 

[sami]

Honestly, stock tends to go down the longer you stay in college.

I highly doubt it will hurt Mullins or Tanner. Hough has a shot at being a late lottery pick next year while he was seen as a late 1st this draft.

Nate is an interesting one, because I agree with you when it comes to 'one and dones' staying an extra year. But let's say he was going to go 16-18 this year, and comes back and has a great year here while growing both his game and build? At only 19, I have trouble imagining he wouldn't at the very least be a top 10 pick.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I honestly think staff landing Washington Jr. has them less concerned from adding a big that's high rated (and expensive).

He's got just as much height/length as any one on the team but is a freak athlete with some serious hops.

 

[deatojl]

Being taller doesn’t mean better rebounder. Carey for example 3-4 inches shorter than JP but a better defensive rebounder because he used his body and both hands. Not being a ball watcher and anticipating where the rebound is going are key skills as well.

As purely an example and definitely NOT any sort of comparison, Dennis Rodman is 6'7".

 

[barney]

Austin price seems to think there aren’t enough minutes to go around between Ament and Juke and that its an either/or proposition

 

[Ttucke11]

If Lue is Ricks other Center with Rubin we are planning to RUN this year. Especially if Haralson is the 4. The blocks and boards might go down but we are going to be screaming on tips, steals, and fast breaks.

This is such a drastic change in philosophy. Should be fun.

 

[volfaninpa]

3 roster spots are left, correct?

Get 2 bigs and 1 of either Juke or Ament and let's go get em!

 

[cncchris33]

Very physical double double threat. Has a SEC body and is probably a more athletic Jalen Carey.

Great games last year vs Liberty and FIU.

I think he had a double double against WKU as well.

Had 12/10 against Bama...ironically, he kinda looks like a Bama big man

12/5 against USF

11/9 against Liberty...I'd expect him to look good against Liberty as hes taller than anyone on their team

Kinda got exposed against Gonzaga and their size, though. 5/2 and was 2 of 11 shooting.

 

[sami]

Yes, I noticed this last night and suspected this was the intention.

Honestly, at this juncture and what we need him for, really like him.

What's not to like as a depth big? He's physical, can rebound and block shots, runs the floor, has a bit of touch from the perimeter, and is a decent FT shooter for a big. We still have a couple of spots left even accounting for Juke, and this is a kid who can spot the 4 or 5. I like it.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Austin price seems to think there aren’t enough minutes to go around between Ament and Juke and that its an either/or proposition

I disagree, now are there enough minutes for those 2 plus all of Hill, Ames, Lundblade & Haralson? Probably not. But Ament & Juke would get their minutes, at the expense of someone else. With that said, I don’t foresee that being likely.

 

[cncchris33]

6'9" 230lbs and athletic...just 2 years in college, but 68 games with 66 starts and he's been a 26mpg.

The one knock to me is his 2 PT%... 52.6% but he is flirting with 30% from deep and close to 70% FT both seasons he's scored 10ppg and 5+rpg solid blocks as well and for a big has quite a few steals.

Seems like a good value piece

Agree on the FG%. He isn't likely coming in to be a scorer but you want him hitting shots from his position if hes taking them. His 2s arent simply cutbacks and dunks from his video. Lots of square-ups and turnaround jumpers, so maybe his degree of difficulty played a role. Doubt we ask him to do those things, so maybe it goes up for him.

 

[Stoked]

Is this guy the backup 4 to Haralson? Then Brown and Rubin our 5's?

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

Austin price seems to think there aren’t enough minutes to go around between Ament and Juke and that its an either/or proposition

Seems right to me. No way they are both on the team IMO

 

[cncchris33]

It just dawned on me that Lue's coach is Antoine Pettway, so the "Bama Big" look makes even more sense, now.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Is this guy the backup 4 to Haralson? Then Brown and Rubin our 5's?

Probably see him and Brown both play some 4 and 5. His ability to shoot some makes me think he'll play more 4, Brown more 5, but what do I know.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

As purely an example and definitely NOT any sort of comparison, Dennis Rodman is 6'7".

Forgot how big Awaka is but I think he is in the 6’8-6’9 range and he is a rebounding machine

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

Is this guy the backup 4 to Haralson? Then Brown and Rubin our 5's?

Brown isn’t a 5 imo.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

On close 2s…

Lue: 89-137 for 65%
Ament: 59-114 for 51.8%
Estrella 97-149 for 65.1%
Okpara 98-140 for 70.0%
Carey 102-184 for 55.4%
Brown 64-84 for 64.3%