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Braedan Lue knows exactly why Tennessee and coach Rick Barnes needed him. He also knows exactly why he needed Tennessee.
The 20-year-old, 6-foot-9 junior forward from Douglasville, Ga., totaled 86 career blocks and 56 steals in two seasons at Kennesaw State, starting 66 of 68 games. He transferred to Tennessee in April, committing the day after his official visit.
"I came here to get better," Lue said. "When I came on my visit, the staff and coach Barnes showed me how they can get me better, and how they always win. I came here to impact that."
He averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a sophomore, earning Conference USA All-Defensive Team honors. His 50 blocked shots ranked second in the conference, helping the Owls reach the NCAA Tournament. In a transfer class full of offensive-minded additions, Lue brings a defensive identity to Tennessee.
Four frontcourt players left UT this offseason. Among them was forward Felix Okpara, selected No. 46 overall in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, joining the Washington Wizards. Lue joins returnee DeWayne Brown and Tennessee center Miles Rubin, a transfer from Loyola Chicago, as the primary interior pieces on a roster Barnes has built almost entirely through the transfer portal.
Rubin already has a read on Lue, his new frontcourt partner.
"He's like a Swiss Army knife," Rubin said. "He can do everything on the ball and off the ball. He can dribble, he can shoot, he can attack the rim. He can go dunk it if he wants to. I feel like he's a great addition to this team."
Okpara was among three former Vols drafted this week. Nate Ament went No. 13 overall in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Ja'Kobi Gillespie went No. 42 to the San Antonio Spurs. Lue was watching.
"Seeing that, it puts a good thought in my head," Lue said. "That's one of the reasons why I came here. coach Barnes, he's good with developing players and stuff like that, and I just hope to be one of those players that makes it to the league."
Barnes was direct about how he sees this frontcourt.
"Our front guys are maybe not as tall, but they've got good length," Barnes said. "Their quickness, and again, learning a new system, their effort's been there. We haven't had to talk about going hard on any of those guys."
Lue sees the backcourt around him, loaded with ball handlers in Dai Dai Ames, Terrence Hill Jr. and Tyler Lundblade, as part of what can make this team work.
"They can get you the ball in ways you wouldn't have even thought of," he said. "The way they shoot the ball is opening up the court."
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Braedan Lue on why he transferred to Tennessee basketball, his new role
Continue reading...
The 20-year-old, 6-foot-9 junior forward from Douglasville, Ga., totaled 86 career blocks and 56 steals in two seasons at Kennesaw State, starting 66 of 68 games. He transferred to Tennessee in April, committing the day after his official visit.
"I came here to get better," Lue said. "When I came on my visit, the staff and coach Barnes showed me how they can get me better, and how they always win. I came here to impact that."
He averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a sophomore, earning Conference USA All-Defensive Team honors. His 50 blocked shots ranked second in the conference, helping the Owls reach the NCAA Tournament. In a transfer class full of offensive-minded additions, Lue brings a defensive identity to Tennessee.
Four frontcourt players left UT this offseason. Among them was forward Felix Okpara, selected No. 46 overall in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, joining the Washington Wizards. Lue joins returnee DeWayne Brown and Tennessee center Miles Rubin, a transfer from Loyola Chicago, as the primary interior pieces on a roster Barnes has built almost entirely through the transfer portal.
Rubin already has a read on Lue, his new frontcourt partner.
"He's like a Swiss Army knife," Rubin said. "He can do everything on the ball and off the ball. He can dribble, he can shoot, he can attack the rim. He can go dunk it if he wants to. I feel like he's a great addition to this team."
Okpara was among three former Vols drafted this week. Nate Ament went No. 13 overall in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Ja'Kobi Gillespie went No. 42 to the San Antonio Spurs. Lue was watching.
"Seeing that, it puts a good thought in my head," Lue said. "That's one of the reasons why I came here. coach Barnes, he's good with developing players and stuff like that, and I just hope to be one of those players that makes it to the league."
Barnes was direct about how he sees this frontcourt.
"Our front guys are maybe not as tall, but they've got good length," Barnes said. "Their quickness, and again, learning a new system, their effort's been there. We haven't had to talk about going hard on any of those guys."
Lue sees the backcourt around him, loaded with ball handlers in Dai Dai Ames, Terrence Hill Jr. and Tyler Lundblade, as part of what can make this team work.
"They can get you the ball in ways you wouldn't have even thought of," he said. "The way they shoot the ball is opening up the court."
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Braedan Lue on why he transferred to Tennessee basketball, his new role
Continue reading...
