Tennessee's newest commit could be the center of the offense in a few years
Tennessee basketball commit DeWayne Brown plays the type of basketball Rick Barnes looks for in his big men. Brown committed to the Vols over Mississippi State, Alabama, and LSU. He is also the first commit of the 2025 class as Barnes looks to add more young players after losing some to the portal this offseason.
While Brown still has a couple of years before he's on-campus playing in orange and white, he has the potential to be one of the top forwards in the 2025 class and could be a playmaker as a freshman for the Vols. He also said that Tennessee's style of play is a big reason why he committed to the Vols.
“I feel like [Tennessee is] a pretty good match with my game,” Brown said after his official visit in February. “They like to play fast just like how I play in AAU and high school. And they play inside-out with Coach Barnes which I think is good.”
Barnes asks a lot of his forwards, and when they answer, the Vols typically have a pretty good team. This past season, it was Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka. In the past, it has been Uros Plavsic and John Fulkerson or Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams.
Brown could be one half of another pair of forwards that help the Vols win another SEC Championship or go on a deep NCAA Tournament run. He brings a strong work ethic and high basketball IQ to the 2025 recruiting class, which Barnes demands from any player he coaches.
He's been dominant in high school, helping Hoover High School win its second straight state championship. He averaged 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and was named Alabama's Class 7A Player of the Year.
Brown is a versatile player who will do anything the coaches ask of him, according to his high school coach. His game also has a big focus on the paint. It matches everything Tennessee could ask of him on the court, and that's a big reason why he chose Tennessee.
Tennessee transfer forward given crystal ball for Baylor. Tennessee transfer forward given crystal ball for Baylor. dark. Next
We won't know what kind of player Brown will develop into at the college level, but based on his high school performances so far, he would be a great fit for Barnes and the Vols. He's also the first recruit of the 2025 class after Barnes only signed one player in the 2024 class.