Tennessee basketball: Four potential breakout Vols for 2019-2020

Jalen Johnson has the potential to see a lot of minutes. Zach Kent has the potential to see a lot of minutes and start. John Fulkerson will certainly see a lot of minutes and has the potential to start. Yves Pons will certainly start.

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That’s the breakdown of these four guys, meaning nobody is in better position than Pons to be a breakout star for Tennessee basketball this year. He’s been with the Vols for three years, and last year, he did start 13 games, even seeing some time at the two-guard spot, while Lamonte Turner was out.

For the year, Pons averaged just over two points and nearly two rebounds in under 12 minutes of action. He was only 28 percent from the three-point line and 40 percent from the free throw line, but he was 51.6 percent from the field overall. So if his shooting efficiency improved at all during the offseason, he has a chance to be great.

At 6’6″ 215 pounds, Pons is ridiculously athletic, which is why Rick Barnes can go small with him at the four. But again, developing more skill and an outside shot will allow Barnes to play big and move him to the three if other guys come along. Either way, though, Pons will start. He had five points and five rebounds in just over 20 minutes in the exhibition, but he did hit a three.

It’s possible Pons developed significantly by playing with the U20 French National Team in the offseason. If so, he could do more than just take a step forward. He could work his way into a household name for Tennessee basketball this year alongside Turner, Jordan Bowden and likely Josiah-Jordan James. That’s why he tops this list.