UT’s Jefferson enters transfer portal
D.J. Jefferson has entered the transfer portal to leave Tennessee basketball, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
Jefferson spent two seasons at UT. He redshirted during the 2022-23 season and played in one game in the 2023-24 season.
The 6-foot-5, 207-pound guard played three minutes in UT's season opener against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 6. He hit his lone 3point attempt and grabbed two rebounds.
D.J. Jefferson enters the transfer portal after two seasons with Tennessee basketball
Jefferson never gained a role with the Vols in his two seasons. Vols coach Rick Barnes opted to redshirt Jefferson before his first season.
"There's no doubt he has a chance to be a real factor," Barnes said at the time.
The highly athletic Jefferson was out during the start of UT's practices in October 2023 "due to the fact that he hasn't lived up to what we want to do in all facets of the program," Barnes said Tuesday. He rejoined practices in mid-October but didn't garner playing time in a deep and veteran backcourt.
Jefferson signed with Tennessee as a four-star prospect in the 2022 class. He had previously committed to Tulsa before choosing UT.
Who has entered the transfer portal to leave Tennessee basketball?
Jefferson is second Vol to enter the transfer portal since Tennessee's season concluded in the Elite Eight. He joined redshirt freshman guard Freddie Dilione V.
The Vols have four open scholarships with the departures of Dilione and Jefferson. The Vols had three scholarship seniors in guards Josiah-Jordan James, Dalton Knecht, and Santiago Vescovi.
Tennessee has one incoming signee in four-star guard Bishop Boswell out of Myers Park in Charlotte.