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Tennessee basketball: Victor Bailey is signed but won’t help till 2020

By Billy Williford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Victor Bailey Jr. #10 of the Oregon Ducks dribbles down the court in the first half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Victor Bailey Jr. #10 of the Oregon Ducks dribbles down the court in the first half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee basketball roster keeps getting bigger thanks to the newest signee, Victor Bailey. The Oregon transfer, committed to play for the Vols back in May and now it’s official.

There has been a lot of chatter recently about the roster and why Rick Barnes continues to actively recruit the 2019 class. With the addition of Bailey, Tennessee has zero scholarship spots to give out this recruiting cycle yet they are still pursuing Kerry Blackshear Jr.

It doesn’t appear Bailey will be available until the 2020-21 season where he will participate as a junior.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Bailey was a four-star prospect and ranked inside the top-100 of the 2017 recruiting class. He was also ranked as the No.19 highest point guard and the No.5 highest from Texas.

Bailey brings versatility to the table and is an explosive leaper. One of his strong suits is his ability to attack the basket and can play through contact at the rim.

He should fit right into the new look Volunteers that Barnes is putting together. Other than Bailey, Tennessee doesn’t have a guy shorter than 6-foot-6 in the 2019 class. Not to mention Uros Plavsic who is a 7-footer.

Tennessee loses Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden after next season so playing time will be available for Bailey. He joins current Vols commit four-star Corey Walker who will be competing for minutes in 2020.

Five-star shooting guard Jaden Springer has shown interested in the Vols as well as four-star shooting guard Matthew Murrell.

One thing that bodes well for Bailey is his defensive quickness which helps him stay in front of the fastest of players. If we know anything about Barnes it’s he loves to have quick defenders that play hard on that end of the floor.

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It will be interesting where Tennessee goes from here when it comes to new players apart of the 2019 class. Nonetheless, it’s good Bailey will have a full season in the system and will have a good chance to be a difference maker in 2020.

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