Vols freshman Zach Kent touts his versatility
Editor’s note: This is the third story in a series about the newcomers on Tennessee’s men’s basketball team.
KNOXVILLE — Tennessee freshman Zach Kent likes to use the term “Swiss Army Knife” when describing his skill set on the court.
But the transition to college basketball is requiring him to make some upgrades.
“At this level, I am dull,” Kent said after his debut in the Rocky Top League last week. “Right now, I need to sharpen all my tools by getting in shape and getting stronger, getting comfortable around all my players with the chemistry and just getting comfortable at this level.”
Originally from Delaware, Kent was rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports.com and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com out of Blair Academy in New Jersey, where he spent his senior season. He enters a Tennessee frontcourt that finally should have depth in 2017-18 with the addition of Kent and freshman forward Derrick Walker.
When he first stepped on campus this summer, Kent became tied with junior Kyle Alexander as the tallest player on UT’s roster. Still, as the Swiss Army Knife analogy indicates, Kent said he can do more than work underneath the basket.
“I’m just a 6-foot-10 basketball player,” Kent said. “I’m normally going to be around the basket, which I love to be. But I can also stretch the floor. I can shoot comfortably out to about 25 feet.”
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes praised Kent’s size and length when he signed with the Volunteers last November. Barnes also praised Kent’s shot, his passing skills and his basketball IQ.
“He’s a tough, competitive kid,” Barnes said at the time.
But Kent knows that, in spite of his much-needed height on UT’s front line, there are no guarantees for early playing time.
“I’m going in with no expectations, zero expectations,” Kent said. “I’m looking to get better. I expect to get better. I’m not going to make crazy predictions at all. There’s a lot of work I’ve got to do and a lot of work I’m ready to do that I’ve already started to do. I’m just going to keep going down that road.”
Barring a potential decision by the coaching staff to hand out a redshirt, Kent is among six new players who will suit up for Tennessee this season. The group includes two transfers, a player who redshirted last season and three true freshmen.
Even the true freshmen have experienced life away from home, however. Yvez Pons has played for French national teams and Derrick Walker completed a year of prep school three hours away from home.
Kent has a similar story, which has helped ease the transition to college, both in life and in basketball. He said his family is excited and “on the roller coaster with me” as he begins his time at Tennessee.
“I moved to a boarding school when I was 15 for basketball, as well as academic reasons,” Kent said. “So I’ve kind of been doing my own thing for a few years now. It came pretty natural to me. I didn’t feel it was much of a culture shock. I can kind of just fill in anywhere, to be honest.
“Since Delaware doesn’t have an identity, I can just take over whichever one I’m around.”