Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers’ top priority right now is landing Wake Forest Demon Deacons transfer guard Juke Harris, a player who could make a decision at any time.
Tennessee Vols head basketball coaches Kim Caldwell and Rick Barnes have had a very busy April.
Both coaches have spent the month rebuilding their rosters via the transfer portal.
Caldwell reached the finish line first, putting the finishing touches on the Lady Vols’ roster on Tuesday.
🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊It is finished. pic.twitter.com/9PIE8izkfF
Barnes isn’t far behind as the Vols have one big-time portal target remaining on their board — Wake Forest transfer guard Juke Harris, who is also considering the NBA Draft.
On3’s Chris Low said earlier this week that his intel points to Harris landing with Tennessee, but nothing is ever done in college sports until it’s done.
Barnes appeared with Caldwell and Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel at the Big Orange Caravan stop in Chattanooga on Tuesday.
While talking with Vol Network host Mike Keith, Barnes pointed out that Tennessee is “not finished yet” in the transfer portal.
“People have asked me how we’re gonna play,” said Barnes. “I have no idea. We’ve got a system in play that we’ve used forever. They’ll (new additions) make us adjust it, and we’ll adjust to fit them. But we’ve got a good group, and hopefully we’re not finished yet.”
“No, we’re never done,” added Barnes when asked to clarify that the Vols aren’t done pursuing players.
The Vols could use another big man as well, but Harris is obviously the Vols’ top target right now. He’s the missing piece.
The feeling is that Harris is a second round projection in the NBA Draft. If that’s the case, then it seems likely he’ll return to college. And Tennessee makes the most sense for him considering his previous relationship with Barnes.
Harris has until May 27 to withdraw from the NBA Draft, so this saga has the potential to drag out for another few weeks.