Rick Barnes has done it again, folks. Vols fans have been wanting more frontcourt depth, and Tennessee has gotten it, as former Kennesaw State forward Braedan Lue has just committed to the Vols. The 6-foot-9, 235-pound big man has two more years of eligibility left and will be a perfect fit in Tennesse's scheme. While not an offensive superstar, Lue has the ability to keep the defense honest when shooting the three, and he has a nice touch at the rim. Last season, he put up a solid 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks a game while shooting 45.2%
With Nate Ament going to the NBA draft Rick Barnes has an obvious move to make
The key takeaway is how much Lue can help the Vosl defensively. As mentioned above, he averged right around a block and a half a game, putting him in an elite category of the 91st percentile in block rate. He will back up Miles Rubin, who was in the 97th percentile of block rate, averaging 2.3 a night. The Vosl will be impossible to score on down low next year, and I love it. After Felix Okpara, or BLOCKpara, has graduated, the Vols have replaced him with two elite rim protectors who can offer some high-low action in the paint.
Many fans have been concerned about the Vols’ defense, but it may not be as big of an issue as it seems. They likely won’t be as strong on the perimeter, but Tennessee should be a force at protecting the rim. With Rubin, Lue, and DeWayne Brown II, the Vols have an ideal trio of rim protectors. Plus, Earl Grant, the new defensive coordinator, did a great job scheming at Boston College. The Vols will be just fine.
Kennesaw State transfer Braedan Lue tells me that he has committed to Tennessee.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 24, 2026
Averaged 10.9 PPG last season.
Frontcourt depth is almost secured
Now that the Vols have Lue, they still need one more player who can anchor the center position. Jonah Munch from Oregon State is on campus today after previously visiting SMU. If Rick Barnes can land him, Tennessee will be set in the frontcourt and can shift its full attention to Juke Harris, the No. 1 transfer portal player according to On3.
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