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Tennessee basketball: Five-star PF Brandon Huntley-Hatfield commits to Vols, reclassifying as 2021 prospect

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 4: General view of the exterior of Thompson-Boling Arena prior to the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida defeated Tennessee 10-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 4: General view of the exterior of Thompson-Boling Arena prior to the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida defeated Tennessee 10-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Rick Barnes’ issues in the transfer portal less than a week ago seem like a distant memory now. He’s just shored up the Tennessee basketball frontcourt on the recruiting trail in a way that seemed impossible over a two-day period.

One day after securing a commitment from 2021 center Jonas Aidoo, who is a four-star across the board, the Vols picked up a commitment from elite Pennsylvania power forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, initially reported by Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi of ESPN. Huntley-Hatfield is a five-star across all recruiting services.

Coming out of Scotland Campus High School in Scotland, Pa., Huntley-Hatfield stands at 6’9″ and weighs in the range of 215 to 230 pounds. Originally an in-state prospect from Clarksville, Tenn., he is a 2022 prospect but will reclassify into the 2021 class.

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With his commitment and reclassification, Tennessee basketball’s recruiting class now includes two five-stars in Huntley-Hatfield and point guard Kennedy Chandler. It also includes two four-stars in Aidoo and 6’5″ wing Jahmai Mashack, and it includes a three-star in 6’6″ Frenceh sharpshooter Quentin Diboundje Eyobo.

These commitments should all help offset the NBA Draft departures (Jaden Springer, Keon Johnson and Yves Pons) and the transfers (Davonte Gaines, Drew Pember, E.J. Anosike and Corey Walker Jr.). They also help offset John Fulkerson if he chooses to leave.

Now, Barnes has two true power forwards no matter what in Hatfield-Huntley, who is likely to start, and Nkamhoua, who is still developing, and he has two true centers in Aidoo and Uros Plavsic, a seven-footer who will return. If Fulkerson comes back, he’ll have five true post players on his team overall.

Combine that with the returns of Victor Bailey Jr., Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi, the addition of Auburn Tigers transfer Justin Powell and the commitments of Chandler, Mashack and Eyobo, and the Vols can go two-deep with elite talent at every position. They may be able to go three-deep at spots.

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Missing out on Furman Paladins transfer forward and North Carolina Tar Heels transfer center Walker Kessler, who joined the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn last week respectively, doesn’t seem like a big deal anymore. Tennessee basketball is loaded once again, and Barnes truly may have just secured the greatest recruiting class in school history.

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