They lost one player to the NBA, two to graduation and one to transfer. However, the Tennessee Lady Vols added four transfers of their own plus a five-star recruit. Now, Kellie Harper has assembled by far the deepest roster on Rocky Top since the days of Pat Summitt, and it has shot expectations through the roof.
When you add in the fact that players who were hurt will be healthy again, including one who missed all of last season, this team should be loaded. How will Harper manage all this talent, though? Well, that’s what this post will break down.
We’re going to predict the depth chart for UT. With 15 scholarship players, this post will go three deep at every position. Obviously, injuries could change this, as they have in the past, but pretty much every player at most positions is capable of starting. See why here in our projected starting lineup for the 2022-2023 Tennessee Lady Vols.
Point guard – Jordan Walker
Given the breakdown of the talent, the starting point guard job is somewhat by-committee when it comes to the first team, but Jordan Walker has the most experience. She took advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling to return for a second senior season.
At 5’8″, Walker averaged just over seven and a half points and four rebounds last year. Her 115 assists led the team, as did her 38 steals. Combine that with experience in Harper’s system, and the job will stay hers for this year.
Backup No. 1: Jasmine Powell
A transfer from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Jasmine Powell hails from Michigan just like Jordan Walker. At 5’6″, she averaged over 12 points and five and a half assists last year along with nearly a steal and four and a half rebounds. She’ll back up Walker and then start in 2023-2024.
Backup No. 2: Brooklynn Miles
As a true freshman, Brooklynn Miles was the Tennessee Lady Vols’ backup point guard. At 5’4″, she averaged two and a half points, just under three rebounds, just over two assists and just under one steal a game. This year, though, with Jasmine Powell there, she’ll be relegated to third-team point guard.