
College Basketball’s 2026‑27 Player of the Year Race Heats Up
The upcoming season promises a wide‑open battle for the nation’s most coveted individual honor, with established stars and fresh talent vying for the spotlight.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Dalton Knecht across Basketball.

The upcoming season promises a wide‑open battle for the nation’s most coveted individual honor, with established stars and fresh talent vying for the spotlight.

Five former Tennessee Volunteers basketball players rejoined the program for a practice session, engaging in scrimmages, sharing NBA experiences, and offering guidance to the current roster under Coach Rick Barnes.

Tennessee's recent reliance on transfer players has set the stage for Juke Harris to become the focal point of a revamped offense, with the program ranked among the nation's top ten contenders.

The University of Tennessee and Michigan State University have announced a two-year basketball series beginning in November 2026, featuring a return match in East Lansing during the 2027‑28 season.

The Volunteers and Spartans will meet again in 2026 and 2027, reviving a rivalry that dates back to 1939 and includes a heart‑stopping 2010 Elite Eight game.

Juke Harris, a Wake Forest transfer, is expected to lead Tennessee’s offense while emphasizing defensive development under Rick Barnes ahead of the November 3 season opener.

The upcoming documentary 'It's Not About Me' will premiere on July 30, 2026, chronicling Rick Barnes' storied career and the future of Tennessee basketball.

Strength coach Garrett Medenwald is reshaping the Volunteers with a focus on movement efficiency, player‑driven accountability and veteran mentorship.

Director of Sports Performance Garrett Medenwald details the team's focus on chemistry, player‑driven accountability and the impact of returning veterans as Tennessee prepares for the upcoming season.

Tennessee climbs to No. 6 in ESPN's way‑to‑early Top 25, driven by a transfer‑laden roster and notable coaching shifts.

Up to four former University of Northern Colorado players could join the Las Vegas Summer League, joining NBA rookie Dalton Knecht and other prospects.

A deep dive into Landry Shamet’s unexpected offensive burst with the New York Knicks, his clutch performances in the playoffs, and the teams that might benefit from his services.

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Tobe Awaka has inked a two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls. The 6‑foot‑8 forward, who honed his game under Rick Barnes at Tennessee and later at Arizona, will get his first taste of NBA action during the Summer League and training camp.

Nigerian forward Felix Okpara was chosen by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft before being dealt to the Washington Wizards, bringing a defensive mindset and a unique personal history to the capital.

Selected in the second round, Gillespie brings a blend of scoring, playmaking and defensive versatility to the Spurs, joining a Volunteers lineage that has produced dozens of NBA players over the past two decades.

The NBA draft opened at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where former Tennessee guard Cameron Carr was chosen with the 24th overall pick and immediately dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, joining a new chapter that also saw Baylor’s Dalton Knecht selected at No. 17.
Nate Ament, the 6‑foot‑10 forward from Tennessee, was selected 13th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Known for his scoring and defensive potential, he averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in his freshman season and is expected to develop his three‑point shooting and adapt to the NBA's physicality.

Nate Ament is slated to hear his name called in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Draft, joining a lineage of Volunteers who have turned college success into professional opportunities.

Over the past ten years, ten Tennessee basketball players have transitioned to the NBA, with recent draftees continuing the tradition at the 2024 and 2025 drafts.

The NBA draft will descend upon the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this week, turning the iconic arena into a stage for 60 selections spread across two rounds. The event will be televised nationally by ESPN and streamed on ABC, bringing the drama to millions of viewers. Tennessee's basketball program, under head coach Rick Barnes, has produced 57 all‑time NBA draft picks, and a steady stream of alumni are being selected each year, highlighting the university's growing influence on the professional game.

From the first Vol selected in 1948 to the latest prospects under coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee has consistently contributed talent to the NBA draft.

Tennessee’s basketball program has produced 57 NBA draft picks, with ten emerging under coach Rick Barnes since 2015, highlighting a legacy that continues into the upcoming draft.

After a fluctuating second NBA season, Dalton Knecht hosts his first youth camp in Knoxville, expressing gratitude to the community that shaped him.

Dalton Knecht hosted his first basketball camp in Knoxville, expressing thanks to the community that supported him during his college years, even as trade speculation swirls around his future with the Los Angeles Lakers.