Do Tennessee basketball players take NCAA Transfer Portal decisions personally?

First it was redshirt freshmen Freddie Dilione V and DJ Jefferson. Not long after, forwards Tobe Awaka and Jonas Aidoo followed. Just like that, in a matter of just a few days, Tennessee basketball had lost four players to the NCAA Transfer Portal.

After losing three fifth-year seniors — Dalton Knecht, Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi — the Vols found themselves with six vacancies from the 13 scholarship spots for the 2024-25 season. 

Some of the departures were expected. Jefferson played in just one game in his two seasons in Knoxville. Dilione could never consistently find his spot in the rotation this season. 

But Aidoo was coming off a breakout junior season, one that saw him named Second Team All-SEC and to the league’s All-Defensive team. And Awaka had just played the best basketball of his Tennessee career in the NCAA Tournament as the Vols made a run to the Elite Eight.

Junior wing Jahmai Mashack was asked Thursday afternoon if it’s hard not to take the decisions made by teammates personally.

“Obviously as a teammate,” Mashack said, “it’s hard because you want to win and you feel like some of those pieces you can win with. And you just feel like those guys play well. You feel like that you had a good year with those guys.”

Tennessee lost four players to the NCAA Transfer Portal over the last two weeks

But a line has to be drawn somewhere. If players don’t want to be at Tennessee, Mashack doesn’t want them there.

“On the court, obviously I’m competitive,” Mashack said. “I wanted those guys back, but if the feeling’s not mutual, we are going continue to keep going and move forward. We don’t want to bring anybody along that doesn’t want to be a part of Tennessee basketball and doesn’t want to go through those ups and downs. 

“… If you’re not going give your full heart and your full effort into it, then I think it is best that you go your separate ways and you go where you want to be, where you feel is best for you.” 

Off the court there are relationships that go beyond the game. Mashack said he understood his former teammates doing what they feel is best for them. 

“At the end of day those are still our brothers,” junior point guard Zakai Zeigler added. “We’ve been through a lot together. We really have been through war with each other. 

“So I respect everybody’s decision. Still brothers at the end of the day. And if they want to move on and whatever they feel is best for them, that’s what’s best for them.”

Rick Barnes: ‘Honestly, it’s fun. It really is. We’re looking forward to continuing to build this roster.’

And the Vols have to do what’s best for the Vols.

Tennessee on Thursday announced the signing of Hofstra transfer wing Darlinstone Dubar, filling the first of the six open scholarship spots. The Vols have also hosted Belmont forward Cade Tyson and Charlotte forward Igor Milicic on official visits and are in the market for a combo guard out of the portal as well.

Head coach Rick Barnes said Thursday he looks at the new transfer portal age of college basketball as nothing but opportunity. 

“Every year you have a different team,” Barnes said, “even if you have a group that comes back from one year to the next. If they stay where they are (and don’t improve), you’re not going to be as good. 

“So every year the excitement of putting together a team and putting the parts together is, honestly, it’s fun. It really is. We’re looking forward to continuing to build this roster.”