Tennessee Basketball: Breaking down Vols’ 2017 recruiting class

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 19: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Texas Longhorns reacts in the first half against the Butler Bulldogs during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Consol Energy Center on March 19, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 11: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks with a referee during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 11, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Ranked

Two players of the Vols’ 2017 recruits are listed with stars on ESPN, Zach Kent and Derrick Walker. Both should see playing time this season; although, how much could vary.

Zach Kent

A 6’9, 205-pound center out of Magnolia, Delaware, Kent is probably a player who will be an asset for the future to Rick Barnes’ team. He’s clearly talented, as his three-star grade, height, and size suggest, but he probably will only get playing time this season in special situations.

My theory is that Kent could be able to carve out some playing time by being a monster rim-protector, but his choice to pick Tennessee over Northwestern (the only other school that was in the running) shows that he is ready to be part of Barnes’ system.

Derrick Walker

A post-grad heading to Knoxville, Sunrise Christian Academy’s Derrick Walker could make a real impact for the Vols this season. At 6’8, 220-pounds, he’s fast for his size but is still strong enough to bang it down low with the other bigs in the SEC.

Scout has him listed as a four-star recruit, and I expect him to make that type of splash for Tennessee. Rick Barnes usually goes after players that push hard on both ends of the floor and fit effortlessly into his system. I believe Walker will be one of those players.

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