What's next on Tennessee basketball's offseason checklist for Rick Barnes

Rick Barnes and Tennessee basketball marked off a major box on the its offseason checklist Sunday.Five-star forward Nate Ament committed to the Vols, solidifying part of the roster for Barnes' 11th season and leaving one obvious need remaining.I still think the depth at the perimeter would be that," the Vols coach said Monday.

Tennessee has 10 scholarship players on its roster for next season.

It has two transfers and four incoming freshmen, including Ament, to join four returners.

Five of the players are forwards and two are point guards, while Ament fits at multiple positions.

Barnes and the Vols staff are seeking to add guards, especially at the shooting guard position."We will be very selective," Barnes said.

"It will be a cultural fit as well as what we look for.

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We look at the needs that we need, but it has to be right or we wont move.Tennessee is replacing the bulk of its perimeter scoring with Jordan Gainey, Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler out of eligibility.

The Vols have succeeded in adding high-scoring guards in the past two offseasons with Dalton Knecht, Gainey and Lanier and that remains the mission."They have to know if we are talking to them that it is something we are looking for and what we believe we need to have here to help us improve," Barnes said.Tennessee basketball has six newcomers joining roster including Nate AmentThe Vols dipped into the portal to address their biggest need of the offseason by adding former Maryland point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie.

The Greenville, Tennessee, native averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 assists for the Terrapins"When you lose the perimeter players that we did and you want to start there at that position, it was important," Barnes said.UT added former Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey as its second portal addition.

The 6-8, 265-pound forward averaged 8.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 33 games, including one start."We want versatility," Barnes said of adding another forward.Tennessee signed four-star forward DeWayne Brown II and four-star guard Amari Evans in November.

Three-star guard Troy Henderson signed in April.

Henderson played AAU basketball with Ament in summer 2024 for Team Loaded 17U.The Vols have four returning players for Rick Barnes' 11th seasonTennessee returns guard Bishop Boswell and forwards J.P.

Estrella, Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips.Okpara and Phillips were Tennessee's primary post players last season, while Estrella missed all but three games after having foot surgery.

Boswell accepted a minor role behind UT's senior guards.

AMENT: What Nate Ament brings to Tennessee basketball as five-star commit: 'He's a pro'"We are really excited about the guys that are coming back and the improvement we know they are going to make and the commitment theyve made to the program," Barnes said.

"I think they are going to show great leadership for these new guys coming in."Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics.

Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social.

If you enjoy Mikes coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Rick Barnes on Tennessee basketball's roster needs after Nate Ament.

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