Four-star Alabama center has Tennessee basketball in final two
Tennessee basketball is one of two finalists for 2025 Alabama center Dewayne Brown. It’s down to the Vols and Mississippi State, with Brown set to announce his commitment decision on April 20, according to On3’s Joe Tipton.
Brown, listed at 6-foot-9, 235 pounds out of Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala., is a four-star prospect in the On3 ratings, ranked No. 109 overall in the 2025 class. He’s the No. 16 center nationally and the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama.
The Vols do not currently have any commitments in the 2025 class. Four-star North Carolina point guard Bishop Boswell is currently the only signee in Tennessee’s 2024 class.
Boswell, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound prospect who singed in November, is ranked No. 71 overall in the 2024 class. He’s the No. 11 point guard in the class and the No. 8 overall player in the state of North Carolina.
Dewayne Brown sets April 20 commitment date
Brown took an official visit to Tennessee in February and visits to Mississippi State in January (unofficial) and March (unofficial).
“Something that stood out was the way (Tennessee coaches) communicate with their players,” Brown told On3 after the visit. “They all have good relationships. They aren’t selfish on the court and you can just tell they are a family over there.”
Alabama, LSU and Auburn also hosted Brown on official visits. Tennessee’s style of play under Rick Barnes is something that has his attention while being recruited by the Vols.
“He’s great,” Brown said. “He plays inside-out. He has a lot of experience with a lot of different types of players. (Coach Barnes) is a Hall-of-Fame coach and he is really straightforward. He will tell you how it is and not sugar coat it.”
Dewayne Brown: 4-star Center, No. 109 overall, No. 1 in Alabama
Brown told On3 earlier in this recruitment that he was looking for three things in the program that he would ultimately choose.
“A good relationship with the coaches,” Brown said. “Somewhere I can go and get on the floor early and have a good education.”
Tennessee will continue to emphasize the NCAA Transfer Portal while filling out future rosters alongside prep recruiting.
The Vols, coming off a 27-win season and the trip the Elite Eight, are now tasked with replacing three fifth-year seniors in Dalton Knecht, Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi, along with any players that leave the program through the portal this spring.
Tennessee has won 79 games over the last three seasons, including an SEC Tournament championship, an SEC regular-season championship and trip to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.
