Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots the ball over Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan Gainey –  6’4 Guard/Wing – Tennessee Volunteers

Jordan Gainey joins the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC after two years in the Big South with the USC Upstate Spartans. He joins the Volunteers rotation as a highly decorated name already, at least in the low-major ranks.

In 2021, he was named Big South Freshman of the Year and earned second-team All-Big South honors after putting up 13.8 ppg, 2.2 ap and 1.2 spg on 49.3 percent shooting from 3-point land and 47.1 percent from the floor.

This past season, Gainey earned All-Big South first-team honors with averages of 15.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.3 apg and 2.3 apg on 34.5 percent shooting from behind the arc and 39.3 percent shooting from the floor.

He’s an active presence on the wing at 6-foot-4 that’s shown he’s more than capable of boosting the scoring attack with his ability to shoot the ball and attack off the bounce. He’s also an underrated defender on the wing, giving him quite the upside as a potential 3-and-D prospect at the next level going forward.

He led the Big South this past season in steals (62), finished 13th in assists (74), seventh in 3-pointers made (70) and seventh in field goals made (168). He ranked 17th in PER (18.0) despite being a secondary ballhandler as well. He’s a versatile presence on the wing that’s shown he can impact the game in a variety of ways.

Gainey will be one of two transfers out of the portal looking to make an impact in the backcourt and on the perimeter scoring front for the Volunteers this season. They return three double-figure scorers from a season ago as well as 7-foot big man Jonas Aidoo as they look to make more noise in the SEC and in the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24.

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