#university_of_tennessee

NBA Draft Process Dates for Tennessee's Nate Ament The National Basketball Association (NBA) draft is set for June 23-24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tennessee basketball forward Nate Ament, a freshman at the University of Tennessee, is projected as the No. 8 overall best available player in the draft, according to ESPN. Ament, who has been a standout performer for the Vols, is expected to be a key player in the upcoming draft process. The NBA draft process includes several key deadlines and events. The early entry deadline for players to declare for the draft is Friday, April 18, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Players who wish to withdraw their early entry declaration must do so by June 13 at 5 p.m. EDT. The NBA draft combines, which are essential for evaluating prospects, will take place in Chicago, Illinois. The AWS NBA G League combine is scheduled for May 8-10, while the AWS NBA draft combine will run from May 10-17. Additionally, the NBA draft lottery will be held on May 10, determining the order of the first-round picks. Ament’s performance during the 2025-26 season has positioned him as a top prospect. He appeared in 35 games, starting all of them, and averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His standout performances include a career-high 29 points against Oklahoma on February 18, 11 rebounds against Vanderbilt on March 13, and five assists against Mississippi State on February 11. These achievements highlight his versatility and impact on the court, making him a strong candidate for a high draft pick. The draft process for Ament and other players will culminate in the NBA draft itself, where teams will select the best available talent.#university_of_tennessee #nba_draft #barclays_center #nate_ament #brooklyn_new_york

Vol Golfer Jackson Herrington Set to Compete at 2026 Masters Tournament AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tennessee sophomore Jackson Herrington is set to take his place on the iconic fairway of Augusta National Golf Club this weekend as he competes in the 90th Masters Tournament. The moment has been a long time in the making for Herrington, who earned an amateur exemption to the prestigious event after finishing as a runner-up at the 125th U.S. Amateur in August 2025. His achievement marks a historic milestone for the University of Tennessee, as he becomes only the third Vol golfer to ever reach the final round of the U.S. Amateur, joining Eric Rebmann (1987) and Oliver Goss (2013) in that exclusive group. Herrington’s path to the Masters began with his performance at the U.S. Amateur, where his runner-up finish secured his place in the Masters field. The tournament, held annually at Augusta National, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of amateur golf, and Herrington’s qualification underscores his rising status in the sport. His participation in the Masters is not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for the University of Tennessee, which has a storied history in golf. For the Masters, Herrington’s schedule has been meticulously planned. Groupings and tee times for the first two rounds were announced, with Herrington set to tee off in the fourth group on Thursday, April 9, at 8:14 a.m. EDT. He will compete alongside 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Sami Valimaki of Finland, a former PGA TOUR champion. The trio’s second-round tee time is scheduled for 11:27 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 10.#university_of_tennessee #tommy_fleetwood #augusta_national_golf_club #jackson_herrington #us_open_championship

Tennessee Women's Basketball 2026 Signee Requests Release from Commitment Five-Star Plus+ power forward Oliviyah Edwards, ranked No. 2 in ESPN SportsCenter’s Next 100 list, has requested to be released from her national letter of intent to play for the University of Tennessee, according to Talia Goodman of Rivals. The announcement comes as the Lady Vols prepare for the 2026-27 season, which will mark the third year under head coach Kim Caldwell. Edwards, a highly touted prospect, had committed to Tennessee in September 2025, declaring her decision with the phrase “Big Oh to the Big Orange.” At the time, she highlighted her excitement about joining the program, stating, “I’m blessed and excited to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee! Go Lady Vols.” Her decision was made amid a competitive recruitment process, as she had also considered offers from Florida, LSU, South Carolina, USC, and Washington. The release request places Edwards in a unique position, as she becomes the highest-ranked prospect to withdraw from a commitment with Tennessee since Jordan Horston in 2019. Horston, a former five-star recruit, had played a pivotal role in the Lady Vols’ 2018 NCAA championship run. Edwards’ potential departure could have significant implications for the program, particularly as the team seeks to build on its recent success under Caldwell. Caldwell, who took over as head coach in 2024, has led Tennessee to a 40–24 record over two seasons, including a 16–16 mark in the SEC. The Lady Vols advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both 2025 and 2026, with their 2025 run reaching the Sweet 16. Caldwell’s tenure has been marked by efforts to strengthen the roster, and Edwards’ commitment was seen as a key addition to the program’s future.#university_of_tennessee #sweet_16 #oliviyah_edwards #talia_goodman #kimbeth_caldwell

Oliviyah Edwards requests release from Lady Vols signing, per report Five-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards has requested a release from her commitment to the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball program, according to a report from On3 on April 4, 2026. The decision comes amid a significant exodus of players following the team’s worst season in program history, marked by a 16-14 record and a first-round NCAA Tournament exit. Edwards, a McDonald’s All-American and one of the most highly regarded recruits in the 2026 class, had initially expressed enthusiasm about joining the Lady Vols but now seeks to withdraw her commitment. Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Tacoma, Washington, was the highest-ranked signee for the Lady Vols since Jordan Horston’s 2019 recruitment and was set to join a 2025 class ranked No. 2 nationally. Her decision to request release follows the departure of seven of Tennessee’s eight eligible players, who have entered the NCAA transfer portal following the team’s disappointing season. The exodus includes Deniya Prawl, Alyssa Latham, Kaniya Boyd, Lauren Hurst, Mia Pauldo, Mya Pauldo, and Talaysia Cooper, leaving only freshman guard Jaida Civil as the sole returner. The timing of Edwards’ request coincides with a broader crisis for the Lady Vols, led by head coach Kim Caldwell, whose second season ended with the program’s lowest winning percentage in history. Caldwell’s tenure has been marred by roster instability, with multiple key players leaving for other programs. Edwards’ departure before even enrolling at Tennessee represents a significant setback for the team’s rebuilding efforts. Edwards’ recruitment was a major highlight for the Lady Vols, as she became the first commitment of the 2026 class and was ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 2026 class.#adidas #university_of_tennessee #lady_vols #kim_caldwell #oliviyah_edwards

Oliviyah Edwards decommits as Tennessee roster shrinks to 1 Tennessee guard Jaida Civil announced Monday that she is entering the transfer portal, and Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 2 recruit in the SC Next 100 class of 2026, has requested a release from her national letter of intent with the Lady Volunteers, leaving the program with just one player on the roster for next season. The announcements add to the significant uncertainty surrounding the storied program, which went 16-14 this past season under second-year coach Kim Caldwell. Every player with remaining eligibility has entered the transfer portal—including all of the highly touted, second-ranked freshmen class. Seniors Janiah Barker and Zee Spearman will be graduating, leaving the Lady Vols with just No. 62 wing Gabby Minus set to arrive for next season. A preseason top-10 team in the Associated Press poll, the Lady Vols ended this season on an eight-game losing streak, their longest in the modern era. They also lost by 30 points to UConn in February, the largest margin of victory for either team in the series and the second-worst loss in Tennessee's history. Overall, the team lost seven games by at least 15 points, the most in 40 years. The Lady Vols were a No. 10 seed in the NCAA tournament but lost to NC State 76-61 in the first round. It was just the third time since 1982 that they failed to win a first-round matchup. Civil, a freshman from Vero Beach, Florida, played seven minutes in that loss to the Wolfpack on March 20. For the season, she averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. She made her announcement in an Instagram post. Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Washington, originally signed with Caldwell's program in November over offers from USC, South Carolina, LSU, Florida, and Washington.#tennessee #university_of_tennessee #jaida_civil #kim_caldwell #oliviyah_edwards

Hulu to Premiere Pat Summitt Documentary During Women's March Madness Hulu is set to debut a documentary about Pat Summitt during the Women’s March Madness period, a fitting tribute to the legendary figure in women’s college basketball. Summitt, who spent her entire coaching career at the University of Tennessee, is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most influential icons. The film, which will premiere alongside the NCAA tournament, aims to capture her life, legacy, and the challenges she faced, including her public battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The documentary, directed by Robin Roberts, a longtime friend of Summitt, traces her journey from her early days on a Tennessee dairy farm to her record-breaking tenure at the University of Tennessee. Summitt coached the Lady Vols from 1974 to 2012, amassing 1,098 career victories, a number that once placed her third in all-time coaching wins. She was surpassed by Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer and UConn’s Geno Auriemma in recent years. Her achievements include eight national championships, 16 Southeastern Conference tournament titles, and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. Summitt also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, a testament to her impact beyond sports. The film highlights not only her professional success but also her personal struggles, including her early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and her resilience in the face of the disease. Roberts, who first met Summitt in 1987 while working as a reporter in Nashville, Tennessee, has been a steadfast friend through her career and health challenges. Summitt’s son, Tyler, praised Roberts’ role in the project, calling her a trusted figure for the family.#ncaa_tournament #university_of_tennessee #pat_summitt #robin_roberts #trilogy_films

Ja'Kobi Gillespie's March Madness Debut with Tennessee Basketball Ja'Kobi Gillespie, a senior guard for the University of Tennessee basketball team, is set to make his first appearance in the Men's NCAA Tournament on March 20. The No. 6 seed Volunteers (22-11) will face No. 11 Miami of Ohio (32-1) at Xfinity Mobile Arena, marking Gillespie's opportunity to contribute to his hometown team's deep run in the tournament. The 24-year-old player, born on March 10, 2004, has been a key figure for Tennessee this season, earning All-SEC honors and leading the team with 18 points and 5.5 assists per game. His performance also includes 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and a 40.7% shooting average from the floor, along with a 33.2% three-point accuracy. Gillespie's journey to Tennessee basketball began in Greeneville, Tennessee, where he attended Greenville High School. As a standout player, he led the Greene Devils to their first state championship in 2021 and repeated the feat in 2022. His exceptional high school career earned him the title of 2022 Tennessee Mr. Basketball for Class 3A. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 188 pounds, Gillespie's skills and leadership on the court have been evident throughout his collegiate career. Before joining Tennessee, Gillespie committed to Belmont University after high school. He chose basketball over Power Four football offers from Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech, spending two years with the Bruins. During his time at Belmont, he became a consistent starter, particularly in his second season. In 2024, Gillespie transferred to the University of Maryland, where he played a pivotal role in the team's run to the Sweet 16. As the second-leading scorer behind future NBA draft prospect Derik Queen, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.#university_of_tennessee #xfinity_mobile_arena #march_madness #ja_kobi_gillespie #greeneville_tennessee

University of Tennessee Men's Basketball Set for NCAA Tournament Opener The No. 23/25 University of Tennessee men’s basketball team will open its 2025-26 NCAA Tournament campaign on Friday, facing the Miami (OH) Redhawks in the first round. The game, scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, marks a key matchup for both teams. Tennessee enters the tournament with a 22-11 record and a 11-7 mark in conference play, while Miami (OH) boasts an impressive 32-1 overall record and a perfect 18-0 conference slate. The Volunteers will be looking to build on their regular-season momentum, while the Redhawks aim to carry their dominant performance into the postseason. The game will be televised on TBS and streamed on HBO Max and the March Madness Live app, with Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, and Evan Washburn providing play-by-play, color commentary, and reporting respectively. For fans unable to watch on television, the Vol Network terrestrial radio affiliates and the Varsity Network app will broadcast the game, featuring Voice of the Vols Mike Keith and analyst Chris Lofton. The matchup highlights the competitive nature of the NCAA Tournament, with both teams showcasing strong credentials heading into the event.#university_of_tennessee #xfinity_mobile_arena #tbs #miami_oh_redhawks #march_madness_live

Carolina Panthers facing potential loss of starting center Cade Mays to Detroit Lions in free agency The Carolina Panthers may be without their starting center for the upcoming season after the Detroit Lions reportedly signed Cade Mays to a three-year, $25 million contract. According to NFL analyst Joe Person of The Athletic, the deal marks a significant move for the Lions, who are looking to bolster their offensive line. Mays, a key player for the Panthers in 2025, started 12 games for the team during the regular season. Mays was selected by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft from the University of Tennessee. He made seven starts over his first 27 professional games through the 2023 season before being released in the summer of 2024. After a brief stint with the New York Giants, Mays returned to Carolina in October 2024. He then solidified his role as the team’s center, starting eight of the final 11 games of the season. Despite losing the offseason competition for the starting center position to veteran Austin Corbett, Mays reclaimed the role by Week 3 of the 2025 season. His performance throughout the year demonstrated his value to the Panthers’ offensive line, but the Lions’ offer appears to have convinced him to pursue a new opportunity. The Panthers’ decision to let Mays go comes amid a broader reshaping of their roster during the 2026 free agency period. The team’s offensive line has been a focus of improvement, and the loss of Mays could force them to address the position sooner than expected. Fans and analysts will now closely monitor how the Panthers plan to replace him, as the offensive line’s stability is critical to the team’s success in the upcoming season.#detroit_lions #cade_mays #carolina_panthers #austin_corbett #university_of_tennessee