One of the biggest pieces expected to return to Tennessee next season was forward JP Estrella, who always battled injuries while in Knoxville but flashed a ton of potential. However, unexpectedly, he entered the transfer portal after the season and did not return to Tennessee.
Tennessee basketball’s national title odds suggest a real shot at glory
Estrella instead landed at Michigan to play for Dusty May and try to win back-to-back national titles for the Wolverines. However, in an unexpected Monday morning turn, Dusty May has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks and is now headed to the NBA.
The grass isn't always greener
Estrella leaving was one of the biggest gut punches of the offseason. When he left, you knew things were real and that the Vols were missing a lot from their previous roster. However, Rick Barnes did the unthinkable and completely overturned the Tennessee roster into a team that looks like a powerhouse, which Vols fans love.
Given the weaknesses on the roster, especially scoring, having a player like Estrella would really help, and he does have the ability to enter the portal and play for the Vols, but that doesn’t feel likely. I would be surprised if Estrella is kicking himself for leaving Tennessee. The Vols have a legitimate chance to compete for a national title next year, and Michigan does on paper as well, but with a new coach coming in so late, it feels like there will be a lot of growing pains.
Estrella has to be upset with May for this. He recruited him to Michigan and sold him on the chance of winning another title, but then he leaves? That stings. Not only did he elaves, but in June at the worst possible time. Whuile every other team ius doinfg suimmer prep Warde Manuel is looking for a new head coach.
Now in Knoxville, Tennessee is in a great position to make its first-ever Final Four and compete for a national championship. Estrella could have been a key piece of that if he hadn’t left, but instead he’s now navigating a tough situation in Ann Arbor. You do feel for Estrella, but that’s just how it goes sometimes.
At the end of the day, I hope everything works out for Estrella because he gave his all for Tennessee and was a team player who helped the Vols make Elite Eight runs.
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