Likely one of the SEC’s top teams this upcoming season, Tennessee Basketball you could certainly say has had a phenomenal month of May. Adding multiple players, as well as one key name announcing his return to Knoxville, what is Tennessee’s updated depth chart outlook for the 2022-23 season?
Updated Tennessee Basketball depth chart outlook for 2022-23 season
Point Guard
- Starter: Zakai Zeigler
- Backup: BJ Edwards
With star freshman Kennedy Chandler off to the NBA, the starting point guard role in Knoxville will likely go to Zeigler who averaged 8.8 PPG off the bench a year ago to earn SEC All-Freshman honors. The primary backup to Zeigler will be Edwards, an incoming four-star freshman from Knoxville, TN.
Shooting Guard
- Starter: Santiago Vescovi
- Backup: Tyreke Key, Jahmai Mashack
Assuming Vescovi returns to Tennessee for the 2022-23 season, the senior will likely play a similar role to a year ago, one which saw him average a career-high 13.3 PPG on 40.3% shooting from three. Indiana State transfer Tyreke Key could very-easily start games for the Volunteers as well, while Mashack could potentially see a larger role this season after averaging 4.6 MPG as a freshman.
Small Forward
- Starter: Julian Phillips
- Backup: Josiah-Jordan James, DJ Jefferson
This is where you could honestly say that Tennessee Basketball’s 2022-23 starting lineup gets interesting, as the Volunteers could start either Phillips or James at the three. Both will likely start a significant number of games for Tennessee in 2022-23 regardless, while Jefferson will help provide depth on the wing.
Power Forward
- Starter: Olivier Nkamhoua
- Backup: Julian Phillips
Phillips could possibly end up seeing time at the power forward position as well, but likely not in a starting role when the Volunteers are fully healthy. That starting spot will likely go to Nkamhoua who enjoyed a breakout season a year ago, averaging 8.6 PPG and 5.6 RPG while starting in 22-of-22 games last season before suffering an injury.
Center
- Starter: Uros Plavsic
- Backup: Jonas Aidoo
Plavsic started in 21-of-35 games for the Volunteers a year ago, and could see a similar number, if not more, this upcoming season. Aidoo on the other hand could be a name to watch for entering his sophomore season, with a potential breakout campaign possible after averaging only 7.8 MPG a year ago.