The 2024 spring transfer portal closed at the end of April, but Rick Barnes and Tennessee basketball are still targeting some players in the portal. The Vols have a few scholarships still available, as the 2024 college basketball transfer portal class of available players shrinks every day.
Tennessee has added three players through the transfer portal so far this cycle. The Vols have added two forwards and a center to their 2024-25 roster but are still looking to add at least one guard this cycle. Most recently, the Vols earned a commitment from Charlotte transfer forward Igor Milicic Jr., Ohio State transfer center Felix Okpara, and Hofstra transfer forward Darlinstone Dubar.
North Florida transfer guard Chaz Lanier has been tied to Tennessee since he entered the portal and has been given a crystal ball prediction to the Vols from On3 Sports. He is the No. 1 ranked combo guard and No. 8 overall prospect in this year's portal class and one of the most efficient scorers in the nation.
While Lanier has not announced his intentions to play anywhere, a few teams are recruiting him, as well as the NBA. He is going through the NBA Draft process and is weighing out all of his options. Lanier didn't make the list for the draft combine, so that might not be a strong option for him this year.
Other teams recruiting Lanier are Kentucky and Maryland. Kentucky's new coaching staff could use Lanier's recruitment as a launching point for the future as a foundational commitment for the new staff, while Maryland would be a bit of a surprise given their 16-17 record last season.
In addition to all of that transfer portal movement, Rick Barnes is looking to sign another player out of high school to add to the 2024 class. The Vols will have four-star guard Ben Hammond on campus on Monday, and are looking to add some depth to their guard positions.