Tennessee basketball freshman transfers to Penn State
Tennessee basketball transfer freshman Freddie Dilione V was the first Vol to enter the transfer portal and he's the first former Vol to find his new home.
Tennessee basketball transfer freshman Freddie Dilione V was the first Vol to enter the transfer portal and the first former Vol to find his new home. The freshman combo guard is off to State College, Pennsylvania.
Dilione announced his decision to join the Penn State Nittany Lions on Instagram on Wednesday morning with no caption other than a lion emoji. The four-star transfer credited the reason for transferring to Penn State was because head coach Mike Rhoades.
"Mike Rhoades and his staff have been recruiting me a long time ever since they were at VCU," Dilione said. "I just really enjoyed how they introduced me to their play style and welcomed me with open arms. I really like having them around; they feel like family, and Mike Rhoades is a big-time coach coming from where he proved he could win. I just want to be with a coach who trusts me and all his players and staff."
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound combo guard couldn't find his footing in the Tennessee lineup this past season with so many veterans returning to Rocky Top for one final run. Guards Zakai Zeigler, Santiago Vescovi, Dalton Knecht, Jordan Gainey, and Jahmai Mashack were all ahead of Dilione in the depth chart this past season.
Having only played 5.2 minutes in 18 games throughout the 2023-24 season was likely a major factor in Dilione's hitting the portal. He has a high ceiling and can be a spark plug for any team offensively. He also brings three years of eligibility to Penn State, so he will have plenty of time to round out his game over the next few seasons.
Dilione was the second-highest-rated player in Tennessee's 2022 recruiting class and is the highest-rated member of Penn State's 2024 recruiting class, joining one more four-star transfer and a four-star high school center.
Next. Tennessee basketball spring transfer portal tracker. Tennessee basketball spring transfer portal tracker. dark
Rick Barnes and company have been working on the recruiting trail and transfer portal to replace some of the Vols losing production through the portal and graduation. The Vols have one commit through the portal so far, with Darlinstone Dubar committing last week.