The Tennessee women’s basketball team began its season on Sunday missing a vital part of its roster: sophomore Rennia Davis was on the bench the whole game, with her left foot in a walking boot.
And though head coach Holly Warlick insists that Davis’ injury should not be a cause for worry, and that she’ll likely be back for the Lady Vols’ second game on Wednesday, a star may have been born in her stead.
True freshman Zaay Green earned a spot in the starting lineup on Sunday, filling the gap left by Davis well.
“Zaay’s going to do whatever she needs to do to get this basketball team a win,” Warlick said. “I thought she stepped up. She doesn’t have a lot of fear.”
Her success in Tennessee’s season opener wasn’t unexpected- Green showcased the potential that she has in the Lady Vols’ dominant 128-59 win over the Carson-Newman Eagles in an exhibition game last Monday.
The Texas native exploded on the scene off of the bench. In 22 minutes of play, she led both teams in scoring with 28 points. Only one starter, in Evina Westbrook, got more run than Green did.
She was also just one of two players to achieve a double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds to go with her high-scoring mark. Freshman Mimi Collins was the other, with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
This performance, as well as the injury to Davis, allowed Green to carve out a prominent role against Presbyterian on Sunday.
“I don’t feel any nerves now,” Green said. “I just be hoopin’.”
And once more, she showed out. The Lady Vols hit five 3-pointers, three of which came out of the hands of Green. She only missed one shot from beyond the arc, making three straight.
Green finished tied for third on the team in points with 13. Though she didn’t notch any boards on Sunday, she was a spark on the defensive end. Tennessee had 22 steals as a team, five of which came from Green. She ranked second amongst all players in that category, behind Westbrook’s mark of seven.
For Green, she knows she can get better as the season progresses, and as she gets more experience under her belt.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Green said. “My defense is really just what I want to work on. I know once I get my defense, my offense will come by itself.”
Green is no stranger to success on the court. Before joining Tennessee, she was a star player for Duncanville High School, the former school of Lady Vol legend Tamika Catchings.
Duncanville won two straight state titles in 2016 and 2017, and Green was named MVP in both contests. As a senior, she averaged 15.5 points per game, as well as almost five rebounds a game. In 2017, she was named the Dallas Morning News Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Her efforts on the court earned her a top 10 ranking in espnW’s Top 100 recruits of 2018, coming in at No. 10. Green was ranked as the second best guard in the nation for the 2018 recruiting class as well.
She was a starter in both the McDonald’s and Jordan Brand Classic All-American games with fellow Lady Vol freshmen Collins and Jazmine Massengill.
With Green leading the way, it seems as if Tennessee has four young players that will make a great impact in their years as a Lady Vol.
“I was excited when we signed those four,” Warlick said. “Because we knew what we were getting. They play with a passion. They just want to contribute. Those four want to win for this program and this team.”
