USC Upstate Transfer Jordan Gainey Turned Heads During Italy Exhibitions

USC Upstate transfer Jordan Gainey made some noise during the Tennessee Volunteers' scrimmages in Italy.

Many transfers and newcomers into the Tennessee program got to show off what they could do in a game with the exhibitions they played in Italy. A big name that falls into that category is Jordan Gainey.

Gainey played the most minutes out of any other player during the three scrimmages (68:14). In those three games, he was in double figures for all of them. He also shot a smooth 39% from the field and three-point range. His consistent shooting was something that head coach Rick Barnes and the rest of the coaching staff took note of while overseas. Gainey was not afraid to shoot in any of these matchups in Italy, and his quick trigger may be useful for the Tennessee offense come the basketball season.

Gainey also put passing on display but got four, two, and two assists again in each of the three games consecutively. He got the ball to his teammates in different spots all over the floor. He passed it around the arc for three-point shots or even dished it down low to the Vols' front-court players. When Tennessee faced off against A.S. Stella Azzurra, Gainey had three steals and two blocks. During the final scrimmage, he became a monster on the defensive end of the floor for the Vols.

This was also nice to see because Gainey had quiet games defensively in the two previous games against the Lithuanian team. His performances throughout the Vols' trip to Italy show how deep this team is. In particular, it shows how deep they are in the backcourt. This can elevate the offense this coming season to a new level. Gainey could be a viable option behind the experienced tandem of Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi. He also joins the lengthy list of weapons within the backcourt, like Dalton Knecht, Jahmai Mashack, and others—his outings in Italy comfort Tennessee with just how deep they can be. 

Tennessee G Jordan Gainey playing for USC Upstate against South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, on November 9, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Blake of USA Today Sports)

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