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Tennessee Lady Vols’ projected 2022-2023 starring lineup

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee basketball coach Kellie Harper talks with Tennessee center Tamari Key (20) in the final minutes of the NCAA basketball tournament game against Belmont in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 21, 2022.Ladyvols Belmont
Tennessee basketball coach Kellie Harper talks with Tennessee center Tamari Key (20) in the final minutes of the NCAA basketball tournament game against Belmont in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 21, 2022.Ladyvols Belmont /
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Mar 7, 2020; Greenville, SC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Rickea Jackson (5) shoots against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2020; Greenville, SC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Rickea Jackson (5) shoots against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Power forward – Rickea Jackson

Alexus Dye and Keyen Green are both gone to graduation, so the Tennessee Lady Vols needed multiple upgrades at the four. Rickea Jackson is the star of all the transfers Kellie Harper landed, as she was averaging over 20 points a game with the Mississippi State Bulldogs before entering the portal this past year.

At 6’2″, Jackson is built specifically for this position, as she averaged just under seven rebounds and one and a half blocks a game as well. Taking all this into account, she’ll clearly step in immediately and replace Dye for Harper’s team, and she could become an immediate star.

Backup No. 1: Jasmine Franklin

Reuniting with Harper, Jasmine Franklin transfers to UT from the Missouri State Lady Bears. She was lost for the year last season due to a torn ACL, but she was All-Missouri Valley Conference in 2020 and 2021 and the 2021 MVC Player of the Year. Having averaged 14.9 points and 12.1 rebounds before her injury, she’ll be the primary post player off the bench for UT.

Backup No. 2: Marta Suarez 

This is where the group is loaded. Marta Suarez could move over to the wing if the Lady Vols need more help there. She was an All-SEC Freshman in 2019-2020 but missed all of last year due to injury. At 6’3″, she’s back to make an impact, but the Tennessee Lady Vols’ roster is so deep, she may have to wait a year to recover from injury before being a part of the rotation again.