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Tennessee basketball 2022-23 preview: Vols’ frontcourt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) gives an interview during Tennessee Volunteers basketball media day at Pratt Pavilion in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.Kns Vols Hoops Mediaday
Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) gives an interview during Tennessee Volunteers basketball media day at Pratt Pavilion in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.Kns Vols Hoops Mediaday /
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Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) gives an interview during Tennessee Volunteers basketball media day at Pratt Pavilion in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.Kns Vols Hoops Mediaday
Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) gives an interview during Tennessee Volunteers basketball media day at Pratt Pavilion in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.Kns Vols Hoops Mediaday /

Returning contributors

Uros Plavsic

  • 7’1″ 265 pounds
  • Senior
  • Ivanjica, Serbia

Three years of development seems to be paying off. Uros Plavsic started 60 percent of the season last year, and his height gives the Vols a necessary presence at center. He averaged just over four points and right at four rebounds, but he shot 57.8 percent from the field after never cracking 50 percent the two years before.

With John Fulkerson and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield gone, Plavsic is the one guy with experience who can occupy the five-spot. It’s now time for him to step up in that role. He may not be the starter, which we’ll get to soon, but Tennessee basketball needs him to be consistently effective down low.

Olivier Nkamhoua

  • 6’9″ 236 pounds
  • Senior
  • Helsinki, Finland

A season-ending ankle injury derailed what was a breakout campaign for Olivier Nkamhoua last year. Through 18 games, he was averaging over eight and a half points, five and a half rebounds, a block and an assist. Key was being a threat from three and getting above the 70 percent mark from the free throw line.

Nkamhoua is back, though, and appears to be bigger now. Assuming he’s fully healthy and has kept the finesse part of his game, he should be more physical, and he is capable of defending the stretch-four. That allows UT to impose its will inside with him at the four, so watch out.

Returning reserves

Jonas Aidoo

  • 6’11” 241 pounds
  • Durham, N.C.
  • Liberty Heights Athletic Institute

Last year, Jonas Aidoo brought the same hype in the post as Huntley-Hatfield, but he was limited due to early injuries. He still played 19 games, averaging over two points in under eight minutes. This year, Aidoo is likely to join Plavsic in the rotation at the five, and he could start, but he’ll definitely be a force.

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