Tennessee Guard Amari Evans Transfers to Texas

Defensive specialist joins Longhorns after three seasons with Volunteers.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:18pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in a defensive stance, with their body and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy blue, burnt orange, and white.The Longhorns' addition of defensive specialist Amari Evans through the transfer portal aims to bolster their roster and competitive edge in the Big 12.Knoxville Today

Tennessee Volunteers guard Amari Evans, a defensive specialist with three seasons of SEC experience, has committed to transferring to the University of Texas through the NCAA Transfer Portal. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan was a four-star recruit out of Overtime Elite High School in Atlanta.

Why it matters

Evans' commitment is a key addition for new Texas head coach Sean Miller, who is working to rebuild the Longhorns' roster after a disappointing season. Evans' strong defensive skills and SEC experience will provide a boost to the Texas backcourt.

The details

Evans played 23 minutes in Tennessee's 85-71 win over Texas on January 6, scoring 4 points. His best game came in the regular season finale against Vanderbilt, when he scored a career-high 24 points. Evans ranked third on the Vols with 34 steals and was known for his ability to defend the opponents' best offensive wing.

  • Evans signed with former Texas coach Rick Barnes in 2025.
  • Evans played for Tennessee during the 2025-26 season.

The players

Amari Evans

A 6-foot-5, 220-pound guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan who played the last three seasons for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Sean Miller

The new head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who is working to rebuild the team's roster after a disappointing season.

Rick Barnes

The former Texas head coach who recruited Evans to the Volunteers in 2025.

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The takeaway

With Evans' defensive prowess and SEC experience, he should provide an immediate boost to the Texas backcourt as the Longhorns look to bounce back from a tough season under their new head coach.