Tennessee Basketball Eyes Top Transfer Portal Target

Vols look to land VCU point guard Terrence Hill Jr. to boost Elite Eight aspirations

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a college basketball game, with players and the court fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes in a vibrant color palette.Tennessee's pursuit of a top transfer target could be the key to finally breaking through to the Final Four.Knoxville Today

Tennessee basketball has made the Elite Eight in three straight seasons, but to take the next step and compete for a national championship, the Volunteers are targeting VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr. to fill their point guard needs. Hill emerged as a star in the NCAA Tournament, hitting the game-winning shot to upset North Carolina, and would provide an immediate boost to Tennessee's backcourt.

Why it matters

Tennessee has been knocking on the door of the Final Four, but has fallen short each time. Landing a talented transfer like Hill could be the missing piece to push the Volunteers over the top and make a deep NCAA Tournament run.

The details

Tennessee has already added transfers Jalen Haralson from Notre Dame and Miles Rubin from Loyola Chicago to bolster their frontcourt and backcourt. But point guard remains a priority, with the departure of Ja'Kobi Gillespie. Hill, who averaged 12.7 points per game at VCU last season, emerged as a March Madness hero and would give Tennessee a proven playmaker and scorer at the point. The Volunteers are also pursuing Wake Forest's Juke Harris as another potential transfer target to add scoring punch.

  • Tennessee lost in the Elite Eight this past season.
  • Hill hit the game-winning shot to upset North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

The players

Terrence Hill Jr.

A 20-year-old point guard who starred at VCU, hitting the game-winning shot to upset North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, who has led the team to three straight Elite Eight appearances but is seeking to break through to the Final Four.

Juke Harris

A 6-foot-7 combo guard from Wake Forest who averaged 21.4 points per game as a sophomore and is another transfer target for Tennessee.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Atop Tennessee's transfer portal board is Wake Forest guard Juke Harris. The Vols, along with Michigan and North Carolina, are working to land a commitment from the No. 3 available player in the portal.”

— Pete Nakos, On3/Rivals college basketball insider

What’s next

Tennessee will look to host Terrence Hill Jr. on a visit in the coming days as they try to land the VCU transfer to fill their point guard needs. The Volunteers are also pursuing Wake Forest's Juke Harris as another potential addition to their roster.

The takeaway

Tennessee has built a consistent Elite Eight contender under Rick Barnes, but to take the next step and compete for a national championship, landing a top transfer like Terrence Hill Jr. or Juke Harris could be the missing piece. Either player would provide an immediate boost to the Volunteers' backcourt and help them break through to the Final Four.