After winning 30 games and making it to the Elite 8, Tennessee Basketball knew it was undergoing a complete roster turnover. Five of the team’s top scorers are gone, including key guards, Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler, and Jordan Gainey. The team did bring in Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who produced 14.7 ppg and 4.8 apg this past season at Maryland.
The Vols also landed 5-star forward prospect Nate Ament, a very good and historic addition to the roster. However, there are still holes in the backcourt, at least among proven high-major guards. So Coach Rick Barnes was able to find one with history in the SEC.
Amaree Abram is a former top-100 prospect who started his college basketball career at Ole Miss. He was successful there as a freshman, averaging 8.0 ppg on 40% shooting in 22 starts. He transferred to Georgia Tech afterward, where he struggled mightily, producing 3.4 ppg in just 10 games played.
Abram bounced back at Louisiana Tech this past season, averaging 12.3 ppg and 4.4 rpg on 37% shooting from deep in 32 mpg as a starter. He’s a good athlete and capable scorer who can play in the SEC so among those who are remaining in the transfer portal, is a good pickup and someone who could start in the backcourt, right next to Gillespie.
The rest of the backcourt depth includes freshmen guards, Amari Evans and Troy Henderson. Plus, look for Bishop Boswell to be a potential breakout candidate to watch in the rotation as well.
For the first time in years, there isn’t some level of continuity in the backcourt. But with Zeigler gone, the Vols must hope for a collective effort to remain viable in the SEC. Tennessee will hope to get the Ole Miss version of Abram instead of the one at Georgia Tech.