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Tennessee basketball: Vols add 7-foot transfer center Uros Plavsic from Arizona State

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 17: Tennessee Volunteers fans get ready before a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 17, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 17: Tennessee Volunteers fans get ready before a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 17, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball added a big man to its roster from the Arizona State Sun Devils. ASU lost seven-foot transfer center Uros Plavsic to the Volunteers.

Most of Friday was rough for Rick Barnes and Tennessee basketball. Grant Williams announced his decision to stay in the NBA Draft, and the Memphis Tigers, across the state, secured the No. 1 ranked recruiting class under Penny Hardaway.

Well, the news got better Friday night. Center Uros Plavsic, who is transferring away from the Arizona State Sun Devils, announced that the Vols would be his next destination. He will arrive as a redshirt freshman

Plavsic, who stands at 7’1″, went to Hamilton Heights Christian in Chattanooga, Tenn., so there are connections toRocky Top. However, he is originally from Serbia. He announced his decision to go to UT on Twitter.

A three-star on Rivals in the 2018 recruiting class, Plavsic initially weight 225 pounds. He spent this past season as a redshirt increasing his weight up to 240 pounds, which makes him a much bigger force for Tennessee basketball.

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According to Grant Ramey of GoVols247, the Vols will likely seek a waiver to allow him to play immediately. If that happens, Rocky Top is in much better shape to withstand the loss of so much talent from last year’s team.

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After all, Plavsic is a seven-footer, which is a huge advantage in college ball. Meanwhile, power forward Olivier Robinson Nkamhoua committed to UT this past week, and he is listed a four-star on some services.

Then Barnes has some returning talent. DJ Burns, another four-star power forward in the 2018 class, took a redshirt this past year but should be another key piece. And Yves Pons is a versatile wingman who can play the four as well. If he develops this offseason, he could become an elite player. John Fulkerson and Zach Kent are there as well.

As a result, Plavsic’s commitment allows Tennessee basketball’s front court the potential to remain very deep next year and help withstand the losses of Williams, Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander. The key is getting that waiver for him to play immediately. Plavsic provides the Vols an extra big man and, something always necessary, a key player 6’10” or above.

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Guard play was already in great shape with Lamonte Turner, Jordan Bowden and five-star commitment Josiah James. So if Plavsic can go, Barnes got a huge pickup in him. His added weight could make him an unstoppable force in the SEC this year, and combining it with Barnes’s skill at developing players could be really useful for Tennessee basketball.

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