BREAKING: Vanderbilt Transfer Center Commits To Tennessee Basketball – Rocky Top Insider

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Vanderbilt transfer center Jalen Washington committed to Tennessee basketball out of the transfer portal on Monday On3’s Joe Tipton first reported and a source confirmed to RTI. His commitment comes just three days after a court granted Washington an additional year of college eligibility.
Washington entered the transfer portal back in the spring. The center was out of eligibility even after the NCAA passed its new five years to play five seasons rule. Originally, the NCAA did not intend for the rule to apply to athletes who completed their fourth year of eligibility during the 2025-26 athletic year.
However, Washington was granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA on Friday which will give him a fifth season of eligibility.
Washington originally entered the transfer portal in the spring with hopes of receiving an extra year of eligibility. He went unselected in the NBA Draft but did play two games in the Summer League for the Chicago Bulls.
A 6-foot-10, 225-pound center, Washington averaged 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for Vanderbilt last season. He started just nine games but played 20.6 minutes per game for a resurgent Commodore team.
Washington spent the first three years of his college career at North Carolina where he slowly earned more playing time for the Tar Heels. His best season came as a junior when he averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.
Tennessee was in need of front court help to round out its roster for next season. The Vols retained DeWayne Brown Jr this offseason while adding Loyola (Chicago) center Miles Rubin, VCU center Christian Fermin and Kennesaw State forward Braedan Lue.
But despite the additions, Tennessee’s front court remained one of the biggest question marks following summer practice. Brown and Lue both had strong summers but are more natural power forwards who bring less rim protection. That left Fermin and Rubin as the only true centers on the roster. Both had moments this summer but Tennessee still wanted to add another rim protector to the roster.
Adding Washington gives Tennessee a SEC starting caliber center and an ability to play bigger against certain opponents. That will be particularly important against the likes of Florida and Texas who project to have elite front lines next season.
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