SEC Basketball: Top transfer addition for each team for 2022-23 season

Tyreke Key, 6’3 Guard, Tennessee Volunteers

Former Indiana State Sycamore guard Tyreke Key sat out the 2021-22 season as a redshirt and comes in with fresh legs ready to lead the Tennessee Volunteers backcourt heading into 2022-23.

Key last appeared in game action for the Sycamores in 2020-21, posting 17.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.1 spg while going 47.2 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from 3-point land. He earned first-team All-MVC honors while finishing sixth in the conference in field goals (133) and first in minutes played per game (34.0).

He’s quite the offensive threat in isolation situations with his ability to break down defenders and score in the midrange area. With the departure of Kennedy Chandler to the NBA, Key’s addition should give them a lead guard that can push the pace on offense and defend. He generated a 99.8 defensive rating when he was on the floor in 2020-21.

Key should help lead the offensive charge for a squad that still returns Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James, Zakai Zeigler and Olivier Nkamhoua to the rotation. There’s a ton of potential brewing in Knoxville, something to keep an eye on.