2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[BrianVol94]

Is he for sure a done deal besides clearance?

 

[cncchris33]

Yeah he would start over Abram.

The king of jumping to absolute conclusions.

Legion of Overreaction

 

[StPeteVFL]

John Meeks 34.7mpg 16.1ppg (graduated 2022 from Charleston) averaged 14.1ppg as a senior

Elijah Stewart 34.1mpg 20.2ppg (graduated 2018 from USC) averaged 11.7ppg as a senior

Markell Johnson 32.9mpg 11.6ppg (graduated 2020 from NCST) averaged 12.8ppg as a senior

Xavier Sneed 30.4mpg 17.8ppg (graduated 2020 from Kansas State) averaged 14.2ppg as a senior

Jimmy Clark lll 28.9mpg 14.5ppg (graduated 2024 from Duquesne) averaged 15.0ppg as a senior

Chris Silva 27.5mpg 15.1ppg (graduated 2019 from South Carolina) averaged 15.2ppg as a senior

Chinanu Onuaku 26.6mpg 13.8ppg (graduated from Louisville 2016) averaged 10ppg as a sophomore then entered the draft

Then it’s Butler…

Ethan Butler 22.9mpg 10.7ppg


**a lot of the above names played 15 or less games, so mpg and ppg are a bit skewed as far as a bunch of guys averaging a lot of mpg and ppg, Butler has played in almost every game.

That’s encouraging.. seems like legit competition. Those guys are all grown men who were good college players. 10.7 ppg is pretty solid for only 22.9 mpg..

I watched some more film. I really like this kids game.. Has a really good crafty handle, good in iso, and finishes well with both hands. Strong build. Release a little slow on the shot but Barnes could potentially fix that.. Feels like a starter for us at some point. Maybe even this season at the 2 if we could get him here quick enough.

 

[Vols till I fall]

So is this the lineup we are looking at?

PG: Gillespie
SG: Abram
SF: Ament
Pf: Carey
C: okpara

To me this looks like a very athletic lineup. I see a lot of potential for Carey and Okpara getting lobs and all that.

As for shooting, not sure

How many wins you think we looking at?

 

[NighthawkVol]

So is this the lineup we are looking at?

PG: Gillespie
SG: Abram
SF: Ament
Pf: Carey
C: okpara

To me this looks like a very athletic lineup. I see a lot of potential for Carey and Okpara getting lobs and all that.

As for shooting, not sure

How many wins you think we looking at?

The 1-3 positions in that lineup can all shoot the 3 well.

 

[CAVPUT]

The 1-3 positions in that lineup can all shoot the 3 well.

True, but I question how well/quickly Ament adjusts to this level of competition mentally and physically....on both ends of the floor. He's so thin it might be he struggles a bit this season. You know teams will bully him. Won't stop the NBA from snapping him up, but that won't do us a lot of good this season. Not on him. Just wondering how much we can or should count on him.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

So is this the lineup we are looking at?

PG: Gillespie
SG: Abram
SF: Ament
Pf: Carey
C: okpara

To me this looks like a very athletic lineup. I see a lot of potential for Carey and Okpara getting lobs and all that.

As for shooting, not sure

How many wins you think we looking at?

The ceiling of this team is higher compared to last if Ament can have Jabari smith/Brandon Miller level freshmen seasons. The floor is obviously lower without ZZ/Mashack defense to be there during offensive slumps.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

True, but I question how well/quickly Ament adjusts to this level of competition mentally and physically....on both ends of the floor. He's so thin it might be he struggles a bit this season. You know teams will bully him. Won't stop the NBA from snapping him up, but that won't do us a lot of good this season. Not on him. Just wondering how much we can or should count on him.

He’s not much different size wise than Ace Bailey as of today, I would think by the start of the season he’s right around that same weight. Obviously Bailey had a very good freshman season and didn’t struggle much with physicality.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

He’s not much different size wise than Ace Bailey as of today, I would think by the start of the season he’s right around that same weight. Obviously Bailey had a very good freshman season and didn’t struggle much with physicality.

Any Burg timeline? Also seen people saying they don't think he'd start over Abram, you have any thoughts?

 

[CAVPUT]

He’s not much different size wise than Ace Bailey as of today, I would think by the start of the season he’s right around that same weight. Obviously Bailey had a very good freshman season and didn’t struggle much with physicality.

Sincerely hope that's the case. To a large degree, our success or lack thereof rests with Ament.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Any Burg timeline? Also seen people saying they don't think he'd start over Abram, you have any thoughts?

No clue on timeline, they’ll also continue to explore other options in the meantime. As for a starter, I don’t think anything’s a guarantee, it’s late in the process and lots to catch up on.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

Ask Barnes who starters will be ... I feel very confident he says something that equates to ...TBD.
If my life depended on it .... Gillespie. That's it!
Think of all the things .....
Injuries, recovering from injuries, working on 3pt shot, working on improving defense, adding a shot to your tool set, team and player chemistry, coach player relationship, etc.
I personally like not knowing. It's like a present wrapped under the tree...anticipation builds...

 

[Col_Cathcart]

He’s not much different size wise than Ace Bailey as of today, I would think by the start of the season he’s right around that same weight. Obviously Bailey had a very good freshman season and didn’t struggle much with physicality.

Bailey didn’t play in the SEC although maybe next year’s SEC won’t be quite the gauntlet this year’s was.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

Bailey didn’t play in the SEC although maybe next year’s SEC won’t be quite the gauntlet this year’s was.

You may be right, there are only 5 sec teams in espns top 25.
However, I'm not as optimistic as you are.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Slow time of year so figured I would throw some names out there that seemingly are still available, no clue on if Tennessee is interested in any or not, just some notable names for discussions sake. My guess would be none of the portal names are really of interest or Tennessee already would’ve made the move there, but who knows…

Portal:
Sean Durugordon (Old Dominion): 6’7” 210lbs 1 year remaining 15.7ppg 9.1rpg 48.9% from 2 on 8.8 attempts per game/32.3% from 3 on 2.8 attempts per game.

Jarvis Moss (Radford): 6’4” 190lbs 1 year remaining 13.5ppg 48.4% from 2 on 3.9 attempts per game/37.6% from 3 on 6.5 attempts per game.

Derrick Butler (Bowling Green): 6’2” 195lbs 1 year remaining 13.2ppg 48.5% from 2 on 5.3 attempts per game/34.5% from 3 on 5.7 attempts per game.

Ali Dibba (Southern Illinois): 6’4” 185lbs 1 year remaining 17.2ppg 53.4% from 2 on 10.6 attempts per game/33.7% from 3 on 3.1 attempts per game.

Ryan Forrest (NC A&T): 6’4” 190lbs 2 years remaining 19.1ppg 45.3% from 2 on 12.6 attempts per game, 24.7% from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game.

Landon Glasper (NC A&T): 6’2” 170lbs 1 year remaining 18.5ppg 32.9% from 2 on 8.2 attempts per game/33.3% from 3 on 10 attempts per game.

Camron McDowell (NWOSU D2): 6’6” 2 years remaining 27.3ppg 60.4% from 2 on 10.1 attempts per game/39.0% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per game.

International:
Marko Radunovic
Zak Smrekar
Fernando De Los Santos
Gedeon Basson

 

[cncchris33]

Slow time of year so figured I would throw some names out there that seemingly are still available, no clue on if Tennessee is interested in any or not, just some notable names for discussions sake. My guess would be none of the portal names are really of interest or Tennessee already would’ve made the move there, but who knows…

Portal:
Sean Durugordon (Old Dominion): 6’7” 210lbs 1 year remaining 15.7ppg 9.1rpg 48.9% from 2 on 8.8 attempts per game/32.3% from 3 on 2.8 attempts per game.

Jarvis Moss (Radford): 6’4” 190lbs 1 year remaining 13.5ppg 48.4% from 2 on 3.9 attempts per game/37.6% from 3 on 6.5 attempts per game.

Derrick Butler (Bowling Green): 6’2” 195lbs 1 year remaining 13.2ppg 48.5% from 2 on 5.3 attempts per game/34.5% from 3 on 5.7 attempts per game.

Ali Dibba (Southern Illinois): 6’4” 185lbs 1 year remaining 17.2ppg 53.4% from 2 on 10.6 attempts per game/33.7% from 3 on 3.1 attempts per game.

Ryan Forrest (NC A&T): 6’4” 190lbs 2 years remaining 19.1ppg 45.3% from 2 on 12.6 attempts per game, 24.7% from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game.

Landon Glasper (NC A&T): 6’2” 170lbs 1 year remaining 18.5ppg 32.9% from 2 on 8.2 attempts per game/33.3% from 3 on 10 attempts per game.

Camron McDowell (NWOSU D2): 6’6” 2 years remaining 27.3ppg 60.4% from 2 on 10.1 attempts per game/39.0% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per game.

International:
Marko Radunovic
Zak Smrekar
Fernando De Los Santos
Gedeon Basson

Those 3 are pretty intriguing. Kinda surprising they've not found homes somewhere.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Those 3 are pretty intriguing. Kinda surprising they've not found homes somewhere.

Agree, I wonder if McDowell has some issues or a bad rep, Kansas had been poking around and many thought taking him and then it died

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Agree, I wonder if McDowell has some issues or a bad rep, Kansas had been poking around and many thought taking him and then it died

To my knowledge, we have only spoken to Moss, and that’s been months ago. Not sure why he hasn’t signed somewhere. McDowell definitely has some baggage that scared both Kansas and Michigan. Not sure what, but both moved on quickly. I don’t love the spot we’re in, but give coaches BOD as they’ve delivered before. I assume we’ve held out for someone not on this list, possible fifth year etc./all the possibilities we’ve discussed before. I assume Burg is the backup/ripcord option if better news doesn’t come. My hope that we’re holding an ace is definitely fading, but I still like the team as is + Burg.

 

[FeelVol]

Slow time of year so figured I would throw some names out there that seemingly are still available, no clue on if Tennessee is interested in any or not, just some notable names for discussions sake. My guess would be none of the portal names are really of interest or Tennessee already would’ve made the move there, but who knows…

Portal:
Sean Durugordon (Old Dominion): 6’7” 210lbs 1 year remaining 15.7ppg 9.1rpg 48.9% from 2 on 8.8 attempts per game/32.3% from 3 on 2.8 attempts per game.

Jarvis Moss (Radford): 6’4” 190lbs 1 year remaining 13.5ppg 48.4% from 2 on 3.9 attempts per game/37.6% from 3 on 6.5 attempts per game.

Derrick Butler (Bowling Green): 6’2” 195lbs 1 year remaining 13.2ppg 48.5% from 2 on 5.3 attempts per game/34.5% from 3 on 5.7 attempts per game.

Ali Dibba (Southern Illinois): 6’4” 185lbs 1 year remaining 17.2ppg 53.4% from 2 on 10.6 attempts per game/33.7% from 3 on 3.1 attempts per game.

Ryan Forrest (NC A&T): 6’4” 190lbs 2 years remaining 19.1ppg 45.3% from 2 on 12.6 attempts per game, 24.7% from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game.

Landon Glasper (NC A&T): 6’2” 170lbs 1 year remaining 18.5ppg 32.9% from 2 on 8.2 attempts per game/33.3% from 3 on 10 attempts per game.

Camron McDowell (NWOSU D2): 6’6” 2 years remaining 27.3ppg 60.4% from 2 on 10.1 attempts per game/39.0% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per game.

International:
Marko Radunovic
Zak Smrekar
Fernando De Los Santos
Gedeon Basson

Appreciate you doing your homework on our behalf.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

To my knowledge, we have only spoken to Moss, and that’s been months ago. Not sure why he hasn’t signed somewhere. McDowell definitely has some baggage that scared both Kansas and Michigan. Not sure what, but both moved on quickly. I don’t love the spot we’re in, but give coaches BOD as they’ve delivered before. I assume we’ve held out for someone not on this list, possible fifth year etc./all the possibilities we’ve discussed before. I assume Burg is the backup/ripcord option if better news doesn’t come. My hope that we’re holding an ace is definitely fading, but I still like the team as is + Burg.

Do we think Burg is somewhat of a lock then? You sound confident.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Do we think Burg is somewhat of a lock then? You sound confident.

I wouldn’t say he’s a lock, but he’s very much a late thought, which makes me think we have fading confidence in another option— speculation on my part.

 

[cncchris33]

I wouldn’t say he’s a lock, but he’s very much a late thought, which makes me think we have fading confidence in another option— speculation on my part.

Was the fading confidence based in Gainey returning, or was that always more of a pipedream to the staff?

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

I wouldn’t say he’s a lock, but he’s very much a late thought, which makes me think we have fading confidence in another option— speculation on my part.

Understood, appreciate the info

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Was the fading confidence based in Gainey returning, or was that always more of a pipedream to the staff?

There’s a player we were targeting that all the coaches were keeping under wraps earlier this Summer. That player was not from last year’s roster. To this day, I can’t get info on who it was or why it didn’t happen. I think the fifth year has always been seen as an undependable option by Barnes.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Slow time of year so figured I would throw some names out there that seemingly are still available, no clue on if Tennessee is interested in any or not, just some notable names for discussions sake. My guess would be none of the portal names are really of interest or Tennessee already would’ve made the move there, but who knows…

Portal:
Sean Durugordon (Old Dominion): 6’7” 210lbs 1 year remaining 15.7ppg 9.1rpg 48.9% from 2 on 8.8 attempts per game/32.3% from 3 on 2.8 attempts per game.

Jarvis Moss (Radford): 6’4” 190lbs 1 year remaining 13.5ppg 48.4% from 2 on 3.9 attempts per game/37.6% from 3 on 6.5 attempts per game.

Derrick Butler (Bowling Green): 6’2” 195lbs 1 year remaining 13.2ppg 48.5% from 2 on 5.3 attempts per game/34.5% from 3 on 5.7 attempts per game.

Ali Dibba (Southern Illinois): 6’4” 185lbs 1 year remaining 17.2ppg 53.4% from 2 on 10.6 attempts per game/33.7% from 3 on 3.1 attempts per game.

Ryan Forrest (NC A&T): 6’4” 190lbs 2 years remaining 19.1ppg 45.3% from 2 on 12.6 attempts per game, 24.7% from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game.

Landon Glasper (NC A&T): 6’2” 170lbs 1 year remaining 18.5ppg 32.9% from 2 on 8.2 attempts per game/33.3% from 3 on 10 attempts per game.

Camron McDowell (NWOSU D2): 6’6” 2 years remaining 27.3ppg 60.4% from 2 on 10.1 attempts per game/39.0% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per game.

International:
Marko Radunovic
Zak Smrekar
Fernando De Los Santos
Gedeon Basson

On the international guys…

International:
Marko Radunovic 19 years old: 3 recent games in U20 tournament averaged 26ppg 6.7rpg.


Zak Smrekar 18 years old: recent FIBA U19 stats, 16.1 PPG | 4.7 RPG | 3.7 APG, was named 1st team all tournament along with 4 already college/college bound players, such as Christian Anderson from TTU, Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville, and ahead of guys like BYU’s AJ Dybsanta.



Fernando De Los Santos: recent FIBA U19 stats, 17.4 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 3.0 SPG, was named to all tournament 2nd team.



Gedeon Basson: recent FIBA U19 stats, 18.0 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 2.7 APG, was named to all tournament 3rd team.