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Tennessee basketball: Projecting Vols’ 2022-23 starting lineup

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 11, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes speaks with guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) reacts during the NCAA Tournament first round game between Tennessee and Longwood at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on Thursday, March 17, 2022.Kns Ncaa Vols Longwood Bp
Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) reacts during the NCAA Tournament first round game between Tennessee and Longwood at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on Thursday, March 17, 2022.Kns Ncaa Vols Longwood Bp /

Small forward – Josiah-Jordan James

Now we get to where Rick Barnes altered his lineup. Josiah-Jordan James moved to the four for Tennessee basketball after Olivier Nkamhoua’s season-ending injury. It was like he never lost a step, and he was easily the Vols’ most versatile player. Once a five-star recruit, the 6’6″ 214-pound wing proved he could do it all.

James averaged over 10 points and right at six rebounds a game. His one and a half steals a game and having more steals than turnovers along with nearly two assists a game proved he could do it all as a true wing, and that’s his best spot. As a result, he’ll move back there with Nkamhoua healthy this year.

Like Santiago Vescovi, it was a huge shot in the arm for the Vols when James decided to return instead of go to the NBA, and those two should make a huge impact on the wing together. Vescovi is the top scorer, but James does everything else. If he becomes more consistent from three, he’ll be a superstar outside.

Backup: Jahmai Mashack

A four-star in the Vols’ 2021 recruiting class, Jahmai Mashack should be ready to step into a rotational role. At 6’4″ 196 pounds, he’s a bit undersized, but wing is his true spot. He averaged four and a half minutes a game and played 27 games last year. If he doesn’t work out, four-star freshman D.J. Jefferson also fits the mold here.

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