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Vanderbilt transfer forward Jaylen Carey got Tennessee's attention at 'that other school'

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey07/19/25GrantRamey
Jaylen Carey, Tennessee Basketball | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Tennessee's Jaylen Carey during basketball practice on July 14, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Jaylen Carey had to catch himself a couple times before Tennessee Basketball’s workout Monday afternoon. The Vanderbilt transfer power forward was looking back at last season’s games against the Vols and had to find a way to reference which side he was on.

“It was a great experience playing here last year,” Carey said of an 81-76 Tennessee win at Food City Center. “Just like the fans and the atmosphere. Especially when y’all had, or we (Tennessee), had went on that run last year against that other school (Vanderbilt).”

Tennessee trailed by 13 at halftime of that game, before outscoring Vandy by 18 in the second half. Carey scored 18 points off the bench and added seven rebounds and three assists before fouling out.

He had 14 points and 10 boards in the Vandy’s 76-75 win over the Vols in Nashville in January. 

Jaylen Carey on Vanderbilt: ‘I don’t like that place’

Carey entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after Vanderbilt was eliminated by Saint Mary’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and later committed to the Vols in April, after Tennessee’s went on its run to a second straight Elite Eight.

“The atmosphere got here was crazy,” Carey said of playing in Knoxville, “so I just knew I wanted to be a part of it and just the guys like the way they carry themselves.”

The player he battled in the paint against Tennessee, center Felix Okpara, is now the one helping him make his transition to the other side of the in-state rivalry. 

“Felix, my guy now, just the way he talks, I’m starting to learn from him more,” Carey said, “so going to be fun for sure.”

The 6-foot-8, 245-pound big man averaged 8.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game over 33 games at Vanderbilt last season. Carey started his college basketball career at James Madison before following head coach Mark Byington to Vanderbilt. 

‘I love this place and can’t wait to do big things in the big orange.’

Carey was asked Monday if his two games against Tennessee was enough to get the attention of Rick Barnes and his coaching staff. The combined 32 points, 17 rebounds and four assists did the trick. 

“Yeah, most definitely,” Carey said. “Both (games), really.”

But his answer once again left him catching himself. 

“Even the one at Vanderbilt, or excuse me, that place,” Carey said, drawing a laugh. “I don’t like that place, but that place, like I said, it was a great experience. 

“I love this place,” Carey added of Tennessee, “and can’t wait to do big things in the big orange.”

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