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Ranking all five Tennessee Lady Vols newcomers by potential impact

By Caleb Calhoun

Mississippi State forward Rickea Jackson (5) looks to pass during a NCAA basketball game between Tennessee and Mississippi State, at Thompson-Boling Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.Ladyvolsms0206 0227
Mississippi State forward Rickea Jackson (5) looks to pass during a NCAA basketball game between Tennessee and Mississippi State, at Thompson-Boling Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.Ladyvolsms0206 0227 /
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Jan 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas A&M Aggies at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas A&M Aggies at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Transfer from Georgia Bulldogs

Only one player enters this list with less of a question of where they will fall on the depth chart. Jillian Hollingshead is 100 percent going to be the backup center to Tamari Key. That guarantee of being in the two-deep rotation puts her above the other two players on this list, but it also knocks her behind the top two players on here.

Hollingshead transferred from UGA after Joni Taylor took the head coaching job with the Texas A&M Aggies. A four-star in the 2021 recruiting class, she was listed as a forward, but she is 6’5″, so with Emily Saunders having transferred and Karoline Striplin more of a four, Hollingshead is automatically the heir apparent to Key.

This past year, coming off the bench in 20 games, Hollingshead averaged five points and two and a half rebounds along with half a block a game. She also hit 18-of-26 free throws along with a three-point attempt, so she has a bit of finesse to her game that could help stretch the floor.

That could also complement Key when Kellie Harper needs offense under the basket. Hollingshead is destined to be a superstar in a year, but she’ll spend one more year developing. Even in that role, though, she’ll be a key part of the Tennessee Lady Vols rotation.