Following a Sweet 16 finish in 2022, Tennessee saw five departures from its basketball team. Fast forward to the present day, and it has replaced that talent with two transfers and three incoming freshmen.
Transfers
Rick Barnes initially attacked the transfer portal by bringing in three players to campus after losing two himself — Olivier Nkamhoua and B.J. Edwards. As the season begins, just two transfers remain after Chris Ledlum departed for St. John’s University in July.
Dalton Knecht
The 6-foot-6 guard hails from Thornton, Colorado, where Tennessee becomes his third college in five years of basketball. Dalton Knecht spent his first two years at Northeastern Junior College before heading to the University of Northern Colorado. In his senior season at Northern Colorado, Knecht started all 32 games en route to 20 points per game and seven rebounds averages while connecting on 38% of threes. These numbers landed Knecht part of the Big Sky All-Conference Second Team.
On March 23, Knecht entered the transfer portal as a graduate where he ranked as the 13th best transfer, according to 247 Sports. Ultimately choosing Tennessee, Knecht arrived on campus as head coach Rick Barnes’ prized piece of the off-season acquisitions.
“A gym rat. I think he has been in the gym every day he has been here,” Rick Barnes said over the summer. “Offensively, he is skilled and can do a lot of different things. Anybody that has the passion he has will figure it out quick. Obviously, we expect big things from him.”
In two exhibition games, Knecht did not let the lights get too bright. In the opening charity game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Knecht stroked 28 points while shooting 8-of-16, including a highlight posterizing dunk. Returning home, Knecht added 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
“I haven’t seen that, I’ll be honest with you. I mean, offensively yes, I have,” Barnes said following Knecht’s 28-point performance. “The way he came out and played defensively to start the game, I have not seen that at any point in time, which is a good thing because it’s on film now. As a coaching staff, what we want to see is to play that hard defensively. His offense is going to take care of itself. But that is the hardest I have seen him play at any point in time since he has been with us.”
Jordan Gainey
The last name ‘Gainey’ is one that looms around the Tennessee basketball program because assistant coach Justin Gainey has been under Rick Barnes since the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
Jordan Gainey is the son of coach Gainey, but he has earned his spot on the team for more than being just a ‘coach’s kid.’ The 6-foot-3 USC Upstate transfer made his way to Knoxville via the portal after starting 61 games over the last two seasons for the Spartans. Last season, Jordan Gainey contributed 15 points per game across nearly 32 minutes a night. Over his career, the guard shoots 40.8% from beyond the arc.
“We obviously know and love Jordan’s family, but his ability as a player stands on its own merit,” Barnes said when Gainey signed. “He plays with a high basketball IQ and is a guy who makes his teammates better. We love his offensive versatility and his ability to shoot and score the ball in a variety of ways. In addition to giving us another shot-maker, he also competes on the defensive end and led (the Big South) in steals last year.”
Filling in for the injured Zakai Zeigler and unavailable Santiago Vescovi, Gainey took the starting point guard role against Michigan State and Lenoir-Rhyne. He averaged 16.5 points and five assists across the two exhibition contests. His stride came from the perimeter, where he shot 7-of-13 from 3-point land.
With 1.7 seconds remaining, Gainey sealed the win over Michigan State, sinking 1-of-2 free throws.
“First one came off a little strong, took my time, took my breath,” Gainey said. “I went to the line for the second one and just knocked it down really. That’s all I could think of trying to get the win. It felt more of a final four game, a national championship, a postseason March game, and it was amazing. It was fun and they played great. We played great, and it was just a great experience to have in this atmosphere.”
Freshmen
Barnes’ ninth recruiting class churned out three talents, landing it among the nation’s 18th-best class according to 247 Sports. Tennessee attacked size and one preparatory school in particular to round out the 2023 class.
Cameron Carr
Standing at 6-foot-4, Cameron Carr arrived in Knoxville as a combo guard and the smallest guy of the three. Carr comes from an athletic background, being the son of former NBA player Chris Carr. Through the Link Academy pipeline, which established 2022 five-star Julian Phillips, Cameron Carr finished as a national champion at the high school level, winning the 2023 GEICO National Championship.
“We knew that through recruiting that Cam was a good offensive player,” assistant coach Justin Gainey said over the summer. “He’s really skilled, has a great touch. Any shot for him he can pretty much get to. He has the floater. He can get to the rack. He’s got the midrange and can also shoot the three. We’re excited about him. We’re excited about his upside and his ability to score the basketball.”
Carr only logged one minute in the exhibition game at Michigan State, but he rather made his impact in the second game. Logging 19 minutes, Carr recorded nine points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal against Lenoir-Rhyne.
“He shot it a lot. If he’s open, he’s a good shooter and we want him to do it,” Barnes said postgame. “He showed us early in the preseason what he is capable of and he has got to get back to there. With his length, we think he should be a terrific defender.”
J.P. Estrella
J.P. Estrella is Barnes’ big man of the class. The only non-Link Academy recruit, the 6-foot-11 center hailed from another preparatory school, Brewster Academy. Prior to attending Brewster, Estrella was a state champion for his hometown school in Maine. The Maine native was a consensus four-star prospect ranking 76th overall and 11th at his position. Estrella is also the first Tennessee basketball player from Maine.
“Not a lot of people come out of Maine,” Estrella said over the summer. “I always keep that in the back of my mind. Those people up there cheering me on, so I’ve got to do them proud, and that’s all I’ve been trying to do over here.”
Estrella has missed a lot of time this off-season with a fractured finger but recovered in time for exhibition games. Estrella posted a clean sheet in the win over the Bears, shooting 3-of-3 with 11 points and seven rebounds.
“In some ways, I might tell you that JP has been the biggest surprise,” Barnes said. “In terms of his work ethic, I’ve said many times that you don’t know about a competitive spirit or a work ethic until you’re with somebody, and he has both of those. He’s got a bright future.”
Cade Phillips
Carr and Cade Phillips came to Tennessee with extensive knowledge of each other’s game. They were roommates at Link Academy. The 6-foot-9 Phillips comes from an athletic background as well but from one with a storied rivalry. Phillips’ father is John David Phillips, former Alabama starting quarterback, and his mother is Reagan Croyle Phillips, a former women’s basketball player at Alabama.
Cade Phillips recorded eight minutes against Michigan State but came out stat-less aside from two fouls. His impact came in exhibition game two where he served as an energizing piece around the rim. Phillips logged four points and five rebounds in 15 minutes of action.
“He’s got a really good feel for the game,” Barnes said. “I’ve said before, I’m impressed with the fact he missed the summer and our trip and everything. But since we got back, he’s worked really hard.”
Others see new court time
Redshirt freshman guard Freddie Dilione V and redshirt freshman forward D.J. Jefferson have both been tossed in the Tennessee program for a period of time now. Dilione joined the team as a reclassification in January of 2023, while Jefferson spent his entire first year redshirting. Both guys are expected to make an impact this season.
“Freddie, when he walks in the door is different. He looks completely different,” Justin Gainey said. “Gained probably 20 pounds of muscle. Physically, I think he’s grown an inch or two. He doesn’t feel like a freshman right now. He does feel like an upperclassman. Same with D.J. Just to watch his growth over when he first stepped on campus to where he is now. Obviously from a basketball standpoint, his athleticism is something that’s elite level. Both of them still show flashes of their youth, their immaturity, but I think they have taken a step.”
