The Tennessee Vols have been recruiting Juke Harris harder than anyone in the nation. They might be in the lead, but with Harris testing the NBA waters, we won't have a decision immediately, so it's a moot point. North Carolina is probably out of the race, so the Vols are going head-to-head with Michigan for the top portal player.
Here are three reasons why Harris should commit to Tennessee.
1. Legacy
At Tennessee, the biggest goal for Rick Barnes is building a Final Four team that can compete for a national title. The Vols have been one of the best programs in college basketball over the past five years, but they haven’t been able to get over the hump, falling in three straight Elite Eights.
If Harris is the main option on the team that ultimately brings Knoxville its first-ever Final Four, he will be celebrated in the Vols' legacy for life. Fans will love him for his contributions for decades, or he can go be a part of the Fab Five's shadow.
2. NBA development
If Tenensse lands Harris, he will be joining a coaching staff that has put seven players in the NBA in the last five years, including three first-round picks. On top of that, Nate Ament could be a lottery pick if he enters this year’s NBA Draft. Rick Barnes also did a great job developing Ja'Kobi Gillespie, turning him from just a scorer into a well-rounded guard in one season. He can help refine Harris' all-around game while still getting him touches as the top scoring option.
Sure, Dusty May has a nice track record, but does he have Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Dalton Knecht? No.
3. Trust in Rick Barnes
Rick Barnes has been recruiting Harris since he was 16 years old. He even visited Knoxville in high school before choosing Wake Forest. That kind of long-term connection could be huge if Tennessee can match up in NIL. Barnes had wanted Harris for a long time, and he'd fit perfectly into the Tennessee system. He would make sure he gets the proper development while also coaching him hard. Make it happen, Juke.
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