Vols Guard to Enter Transfer Portal

Vols Guard Justin Powell to Enter Transfer Portal

Jack Foster | Apr 27, 2022

Tennessee Vols guard Justin Powell is entering the transfer portal after one year with Tennessee, Jeff Borzello of ESPN reports.

Tennessee guard Justin Powell plans to enter the transfer portal, source told ESPN. Averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and shot 44.2% from 3 as a freshman at Auburn. Played in 30 games as a sophomore with the Vols.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 27, 2022

Powell saw action in 30 games as a sophomore for Tennessee and never saw a lot of playing time consistently, as the former Auburn Tiger did not log more than ten minutes in any of Tennessee's final six games of the season. The shooting guard also did not record double digit points in an SEC or postseason game.

Powell is now looking to transfer to his third school after playing for Auburn his freshman year then Tennessee.

The Prospect, Kentucky, native is a fine shooter that can get hot from beyond the arc, but he struggled defensively for the Vols, which led to less and less minutes in Rick Barnes' defense-focused system as the season progressed. Granted, the transfer does not come as a big surprise, but it is worth noting Powell took a long time to make the decision.

Powell becomes the fifth Vol to enter the transfer portal this season and the sixth to depart elsewhere. Handje Tamba, Quentin Diboundje, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Victor Bailey Jr. all entered the portal this offseason and Kennedy Chandler declared for the NBA Draft.

With Powell's decision to transfer, Rick Barnes is back to four scholarship spots he needs to fill. Tennessee recently filled one with a big recruiting land in Indiana State transfer COVID-Sr. guard Tyreke Key.

However, with another guard transferring, Barnes and the Vols figure to be even more on the prowl to fill another guard spot

Photo Credit: Brianna Paciorka of Knox News

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Published Apr 27, 2022

JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.