Two Tennessee Basketball Players Ranked Among ESPN's Top 15 Transfers

A current Volunteer and a former Volunteer make the list of the best transfer players in college basketball this season.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Tennessee guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, a transfer from Maryland, has been one of the top transfer players in the country this season, ranking 7th on ESPN's list. Former Tennessee player Cameron Carr, who is now at Baylor, was ranked 15th on the list. Both players have had standout seasons at their new schools.

Why it matters

The transfer portal has become an increasingly important part of college basketball, allowing players to find new opportunities and programs that better fit their needs. Tennessee has seen both the benefits and challenges of the transfer portal, with Gillespie emerging as a key player for the Volunteers while Carr left the program before finding success at Baylor.

The details

Gillespie has been a consistent scorer for Tennessee, averaging 18.1 points and 5.4 assists per game. He has had several big performances, including 26 points against Alabama, 24 points against Kentucky, and a career-high 34 points against Texas. Carr, who spent his first two seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Baylor, is averaging 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game for the Bears.

  • Tennessee will play its regular season finale against Vanderbilt on Saturday, March 9, 2026.
  • The SEC Tournament will take place the following week in Nashville.

The players

Ja'Kobi Gillespie

A guard for the Tennessee Volunteers, Gillespie is a transfer from Maryland who has been one of the top players in the country this season.

Cameron Carr

A guard who spent his first two seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Baylor, where he has emerged as a standout player for the Bears this season.

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What they’re saying

“The two-time transfer is putting up career-high numbers on offense, averaging 18.1 points and 5.4 assists — to go with nearly two steals per game.”

— ESPN (ESPN)

“The transfer portal not only offers players fresh starts, it gives them a chance to achieve their dreams.”

— ESPN (ESPN)

What’s next

Tennessee will look to carry the momentum from Gillespie's strong season into the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament, while Carr and Baylor will aim to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

The transfer portal has become a crucial part of college basketball, allowing players like Gillespie and Carr to find new opportunities and thrive at their new schools. Tennessee has seen both the benefits and challenges of the portal, underscoring the importance of adapting to the changing landscape of the sport.