Tennessee basketball loaded with versatility on the wing amid Josiah-Jordan James return

Usually, if you’re overloaded at one position, it can create deficiencies elsewhere. However, if that one position is on the wing, then it means you are overly versatile. That’s the case for Tennessee basketball now that Josiah-Jordan James is returning for his senior season.

Once a five-star out of South Carolina, James tested the NBA Draft waters this month but has decided to come back. This is on the heels of him having a mini-breakout year, averaging over 10 points and six rebounds along with over a block and over a steal each per game.

This news comes within 10 days of Tennessee basketball adding five-star wing Julian Phillips and four-star wing D.J. Jefferson. They also return Jahmai Mashack, a four-star wing who committed last year. James confirmed the news on Twitter.

With James back, Rick Barnes is loaded with options and what to do at the two, three and four spots. Last year, he moved James over to the four after Olivier Nkamhoua went down with a season-ending injury, and that’s honestly how James was able to break out.

That was done despite James being just 6’6″ 207 pounds. Phillips, meanwhile, stands between 6’7″ and 6’8″ and weighs in the range of 175 to 210 pounds. Barnes could move either of them from the two to the four, and both are likely to start.

Meanwhile, Mashack and Jefferson both stand at 6’5″, but Barnes could still run them at the three or the two. Neither is going to start either, regardless of how the rest of the roster shakes out, so there’s going to be some pretty tough competition for them.

Right now, if Santiago Vescovi comes back, then you could see Barnes go small next year with Zakei Zeigler, Vescovi, James and Phillips at the one through four spots and Nkamhoua, Jonas Aidoo or Uros Plavsic at the five. If Vescovi leaves, then James could play the two, Phillips the three, Nkamhoua the four and Aidoo or Plavsic at the five.

Now, if the Vols have any serious injuries to key players, Barnes has multiple avenues he could use to adjust, a big deal. He’s got two players who were five-star recruits, and each of them could cover three different positions if needed. Another two who were four-stars can cover too.

Add in Vescovi, who could cover the one through the three, and if he truly does return, Tennessee basketball will have the most versatile backcourt in the nation when you add Zeigler and Tyreke Key. That backcourt is made up of guys who can improve the frontcourt as well. As a result, this team is in great shape going forward.