Tennessee basketball predicted to target five-star transfer to replace Ja'Kobi Gillespie's scoring

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Tennessee basketball predicted to target five-star transfer to replace Ja'Kobi Gillespie's scoring originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tennessee Volunteers are set for a major transfer portal season as Rick Barnes returns for what could be his final year as head coach. Tennessee has already committed to significantly increasing NIL resources in hopes of getting over the Elite Eight hurdle.

“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.

Tennessee is set to host a big-time center this weekend in Miles Rubin, one of the top shot blockers in the country.

“Tennessee is set to host Loyola Chicago transfer Miles Rubin this weekend, as first reported by Mike Wilson. The six-foot-10, 220 pound center started in all 33 games in 2025 and averaged a team-leading 11.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The Chicago, Illinois native shot 58.5 percent from the field, and became the program's all-time leader in blocks with 237. The Vols are also expected to host another transfer in addition to Rubin this weekend, I am told,” Tennessee reporter William Patteson wrote.

There is also optimism that the Vols could land guard Juke Harris.

“Harris dominated the ACC last year with Wake Forest and proved to be one of the best scorers in the country. The guard averaged 21.4 points per game and six rebounds per game last season. He was the ACC’s Most Improved Player last season. Harris could be next season what Ja’Kobi Gillespie was last season for the Volunteers in terms of scoring ability, and Harris is a few inches taller than Gillespie,” SI’s Wesley Powell wrote.

The Volunteers are expected to be aggressive this portal cycle, and Harris would be a major addition. Harris is the No. 1 SG in the portal, according to On3. The key will be putting the right pieces together for Barnes and his staff.

Tennessee must replace the scoring of Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Nate Ament is also likely headed to the draft. Harris could bring significant versatility to Tennessee’s offense if Barnes can get him to Rocky Top.

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