A new name to know.
Several weeks back, Rick Barnes admitted that Tennessee still had a roster spot available after a wave of signings out of the transfer portal. This weekend, a name has emerged to potentially fill that opening. Jalen Washington, a 6-10, 245 pound power forward who previously played at Vanderbilt, has been connected to Tennessee by On3.
Washington was granted a temporary injunction for a fifth season of eligibility on Friday. He spent his first three seasons at North Carolina before playing last season for the Commodores, where he averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. According to Joe Tipton, Tennessee is the ‘clear-frontrunner’ for Washington now.
Washington actually played for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer league while his case against the NCAA was ongoing. He appeared in two games, averaging a little over five minutes in each game.
The former Commodore had seven points, seven rebounds and three blocks during Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament win over Tennessee back in March.
Tennessee, even with all the additions out of the transfer portal, remains a bit thin in the frontcourt. DeWayne Brown returns and will be joined by Miles Rubin, Christian Fermin and Braeden Lue. Do-it-all Jalen Haralson will also give some minutes a the 4-spot. Adding Washington would give Barnes another body down low to toss into the equation and would solidify the Volunteers as one of the best and deepest teams in the nation.
It sounds like this situation could progress fairly quickly for Washington and Tennessee.
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