Tennessee basketball: Ranking Vols by toughest to replace for 2022-23
Forward. Out of eligibility. John Fulkerson. 1. 534. Pick Analysis. player. Scouting Report
Graduated/Undrafted
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Yes, John Fulkerson is Tennessee basketball’s biggest loss. This isn’t an emotional thing either. Fulkerson may not have started last year, and he never did quite reach the level he was at during the 2019-2020 season down the stretch in February after teams figured him out.
However, the Vols need length, and Fulkerson, who stands at 6’9″ 219 pounds, provides it. His finesse game made him the only polished post player last year for UT after Olivier Nkamhoua got hurt, and he’s taller than Nkamhoua. Meanwhile, as mentioned, nobody 6’9″ or above is a five-star, has developed or has any proven significant experience at this level on the Vols.
Taking all that into account, the most reliable contributor in that role last year being gone is obviously a huge loss. Fulkerson averaged seven and a half points, over four and a half rebounds, nearly one block and even nearly half a steal and one and a half assists while coming off the bench for most of the year.
Beyond the basketball factors, though, the intangible factors are indeed a thing. Fulkerson was the emotional leader of the team, and as a sixth-year senior, he provided plenty of experience, particularly for big moments, that otherwise weren’t there.
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As a result, Tennessee basketball will suffer greatly from the loss of Fulky. He could fill voids at the four and the five, and the Vols have huge voids at the five this year in terms of what’s proven. That puts him atop this list, even if he wasn’t last year’s best or most valuable player.