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Tennessee basketball: Ranking all 15 offseason roster changes by impact in 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 23, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with Tennessee Volunteers guard Yves Pons (35) and forward John Fulkerson (10) during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with Tennessee Volunteers guard Yves Pons (35) and forward John Fulkerson (10) during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 5: Yves Pons #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers dunks the ball during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 5: Yves Pons #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers dunks the ball during the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 5, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

1. Yves Pons enters NBA Draft

Yes, the most impactful storyline for Tennessee basketball this offseason is a negative one, albeit an expected on. Neither of the one-and-dones was the biggest loss for the Vols. That rested with a senior we all knew would leave.

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To be fair, without the COVID eligibility ruling, Yves Pons never would have been able to return anyway. But the four-star who came from France is one of Rick Barnes’ greatest development stories. Pons averaged only just over eight and a half points last year, but his scoring isn’t what made him such a loss.

At 6’6″ 215 pounds, Pons can play the three or the four, and his insane athleticism and versatility made him one of the top defenders in the SEC. Indeed, he averaged over two blocks a game the past two years and was an incredible interior defender when healthy.

Pons also developed into at least an efficient scorer, shooting 78.9 percent from the free throw line and 46.6 percent from the field last year. He took a step back with Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson there, but if necessary, he could have been a go-to scorer, and he could hit the three every now and then. Simply put, he did it all.

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Replacing Pons is Tennessee basketball’s hardest task. When he declared on April 9, he left UT seemingly depleted in the post. Things have changed that since then, but given his versatility and his proven production, his departure is still the biggest storyline.

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