The Tennessee Vols have been off to an amazing start this offseason in both the Transfer Portal and recruiting, landing nearly every target Rick Barnes has prioritized. The only missing piece is adding more size in the frontcourt. The Vols have already brought in Miles Rubin from Loyola Chicago and Braedan Lue from Kennesaw State, but they still need additional depth in the paint. The good news is Barnes may already have a solution on campus.
Rick Barnes takes matters into his own hands in crucial Juke Harris recruitment
Rick Barnes and the Vols are hosting 7-foot-1, 235-pound center Favour Ibe out of Mt. Zion Prep Academy. The four-star 2026 big man already has offers from Michigan, Maryland, Alabama, Texas, and more. This would be a massive solution to the Vols' frontcourt problems. Hopefully, Barnes can seal the deal
Tennessee is hosting Favour Ibe, a 7-foot-1 center, on a visit this weekend.@GrantRamey with the news. https://t.co/b78ZkSY4ir
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) May 2, 2026
Tennessee is hosting 7-foot-1 center Favour Ibe this weekend
I'm confident Rick Barnes can land this one with how well he’s recruited this offseason. Tennessee has been on a roll, and I don’t see that stopping right now. Ibe is from Nigeria and is still raw, but he possesses a lot of good qualties. For one, he's massive at over seven fe, plays good defense, and can rebound the basketball. This is exactly what Barnes will need out of him. Sure, he still needs to add some strength to his slim frame, but he will be able to give the Vols 10 minutes a game next season.
Considering how much NIL money Tennessee has already used, this would be a really solid pickup if they can land him. He’s got the size and skill set they need. They don’t need him to be a star, just play his role, and they’ll be fine. Also, he has a high ceiling where he can grow and develop into a good player down the line for the Vols.
Give me a frontcourt of Miles Rubin, Braedan Lue, and Favor Ibe next season, that would be PERFECT. It would pair so well with the scoring Tennessee has in the backcourt. Tenense now needs to finish the job.
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