It’s hard to wipe the smile off J.P. Estrella’s face, even when things get tough. 

The forward is posting career highs in points and rebounds by a wide margin this campaign. His 10.2 points per game and 5.4 boards per contest rank third and fourth on the team, respectively. Even though his improvement on the court is at the forefront, Estrella thinks the improvements to his game are the result of his work away from the bright lights. 

The road to recovery is where the redshirt sophomore built his foundation. 

It’s been a roller coaster for the Scarborough, Maine, native. Last season, the Vols only got three games out of Estrella, who entered the year poised for a sizable role on a group with aspirations of a national title. 

“I knew that I really couldn’t take a day off,” Estrella said.

After a Baha Mar Championship victory, Tennessee returned home with high spirits. Estrella couldn’t share in much of the joy. On Nov. 25, 2024, he announced on Instagram that he would need to undergo season-ending leg surgery. 

“I kind of knew after that Bahamas trip, I had to get the surgery,” Estrella said. “It was a lot of emotions. I felt bad for the fans that I couldn’t play. I was mad at myself that I had to do it, but I had to do what was best for me. In the long run, it’s worked out really well so far.”

It became just another obstacle. Estrella faced one of the nightmare scenarios for any college athlete. His life out of the limelight took a toll. 

“I remember when it first happened, I was like okay, I guess I’m out for the whole year,” Estrella said. “It didn’t really kind of hit yet. But after two or three games of just sitting down and watching and sitting through practice, it was like, this is terrible. I hate it.”

The adversity helped Estrella lean on those closest to him, making the process easier. His family, teammates and coaches played integral roles. He relied on one of his fellow big men the most.  

“Definitely Cade, because I lived with him at the time,” Estrella said. “I was with him forever. I leaned on a lot of my coaches, (Garrett Medenwald) and Chad (Newman). Those are two guys I was just with every single day. My parents, too. My mom had four ACLs, so she knows how it was. I was able to bounce some stuff off with her, and she helped me out a ton.”

Head coach Rick Barnes’ Tennessee culture is praised by many who’ve been a part of it. Estrella’s opinion doesn’t deviate. 

“The guys did a great job of still making me feel included in everything, which I feel benefited me a lot mentally,” Estrella said. “Just being around them all the time made it 10 times better.”

His scooter-riding win celebration took fans by storm, Estrella making his impact in the best way he could. It stayed all smiles for him on camera, but the struggles of rehab continued behind the scenes. The simplest things became some of the most difficult. 

“The craziest one was literally being able to walk,” Estrella said. “I remember my buddy would hold my scooter and I’d hop up the stairs.”

He knew hard work was non-negotiable. Estrella battled off the court, so he could battle even stronger when he got back on. That time finally came. When the 240-pound presence made his return to the hardwood, the Vols quickly remembered the importance of the asset they lost. 

Estrella found some newness in his game while some things didn’t change. Upon being cleared, it didn’t take long for him to get back to the grindstone. This time, though, Estrella found beauty in the little details. 

“I was getting yelled at by coach Barnes, and I was loving every second of it,” Estrella said. “I missed a little bit, not a lot.” 

As the new campaign opened in an early-November meeting with Mercer, getting back to game action brought the most satisfaction yet. Estrella finished the night with 12 points and five rebounds, setting a strong tone for the rest of the season.

“It felt like freshman year checking back onto the court again,” Estrella said. 

Despite his team’s highs and lows in the coming months, the road led towards Tennessee’s fourth straight Sweet 16 appearance. Estrella’s consistency aided the Vols in making it to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament once again.

As Tennessee continues its work and preparation for the biggest stage, Estrella and his teammates continue to push one another. Their self-sharpening will need to show its positive results when the Vols take on a high-octane Iowa State team. 

Barnes notices the importance of having Estrella at full strength. His growth and improvement are essential, even in the late stages of a season. 

“He’s gotten so much better with his focus and practice,” Barnes said. “I don’t think there’s any secret to his game.”

Estrella is battle-tested. As a freshman, he dueled with Purdue center Zach Edey in an Elite Eight matchup, a game Estrella needed to step up in after starting center Jonas Aidoo worked himself into foul trouble. 

Still, it’s the guys in the same locker room who push him most. Daily battles against Felix Okpara prepare him like nothing else can. 

“He’s the best defensive big in the country in my opinion,” Estrella said. “If I could make a jump hook on him, I feel like I could make it over anybody.”

The 21-year-old can thank the ups and downs for a growth in maturity. It’s pushed him to change the way he approaches games. 

“I feel like now, being in the system for the past couple years, I kind of understand more going into scout and practices,” Estrella said. 

A lot can change in a year — even in just one season. Now, a date with the Cyclones in Chicago looms on the horizon. Estrella plans to live in the moment, no matter the result. Reflecting on what he’s learned, a message to his younger self is an easy one to draft. 

“I’d tell him to take his time, stay the course, and don’t think too much about his future,” Estrella said.