University of Tennessee Athletics

Photo by: Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports
Vols in the Pros Update: Jan. 23
January 23, 2026 | Men's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - As the calendar has flipped to 2026, professional basketball around the world is in full swing. A breakdown of VFLs in leagues around the world—from the NBA to the G League to the EuroLeague and beyond—can be found below.
Information aided by Eurobasket LLC. Cover image courtesy of Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports.
VOLS IN THE NBA
Tobias Harris | Detroit Pistons | at Tennessee 2010-11
Now in his 15th season in the NBA, Tobias Harris is averaging 13.6 points in his 27.5 minutes per game. Despite missing a stretch in November, Harris has aided the Detroit Pistons to a 19-8 record in the 27 games he's played, including a 26-point performance in the Pistons' 138-135 win over Miami and a 24-point showing in his team's 136-127 win over Sacramento. Harris' Pistons currently boast the best record in the Eastern Conference. He is three appearances away from reaching 1,000 games played in the NBA.
Dalton Knecht | Los Angeles Lakers | at Tennessee 2023-24
The runner-up for AP National Player of the Year in his lone campaign as a Volunteer, Dalton Knecht is in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has aided the team to the sixth-best recorded in the Western Conference thus far in 2025-26. Knecht has scored 13-plus points in five of his appearances this season, including twice tallying 16.
Chaz Lanier | Detroit Pistons | at Tennessee 2024-25
Tennessee's single-season 3-point record holder, Chaz Lanier has played 16 games for the Detroit Pistons. He's logged season highs of nine points (Nov. 18 at Atlanta), four assists and four rebounds (both Nov. 14 vs. Philadelphia). The 2024-25 All-American is shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and is a perfect five-of-five at the line. Despite his limited minutes, Detroit has registered a 15-1 record in games he has appeared in.
Jahmai Mashack | Memphis Grizzlies | at Tennessee 2021-25
The rookie is on a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, which he inked Nov. 16, and is thus competing in both the NBA and the G League. Jahmai Mashack made his NBA debut Nov. 20 with six points on 2-of-4 long-range shooting in a win over Sacramento. Since then, he has made six additional appearances, most recently Jan. 7 against Phoenix.
Julian Phillips | Chicago Bulls | at Tennessee 2022-23
A third-year pro, Julian Phillips continues to serve as a key reserve for the Chicago Bulls. He has scored in double figures twice this season, as well as played at least a dozen minutes on 10 occasions. Phillips earned two starts in December, the sixth and seventh such nods of his career.
Grant Williams | Charlotte Hornets | at Tennessee 2016-19
After missing over 13 months of action following a knee injury, Grant Williams returned to the court Jan. 10 and has appeared in five games this month. In his debut performance, at Utah, he recorded nine points and eight rebounds. The two-time SEC Player of the Year is averaging 16.8 minutes per game this far, as he continues to work his way back from injury for the Charlotte Hornets, his hometown team.
VOLS IN THE G LEAGUE AND OVERSEAS
Kyle Alexander | Türk Telekom Ankara in Turkey | at Tennessee 2015-19
Now in his seventh year as a professional, Kyle Alexander is having a strong season in his second year with Türk Telekom Ankara in Turkey. The former NBA big man is producing 11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He has two double-doubles on the year, including an 18-point, 13-rebound showing Dec. 20 at Merkezefendi.
Kennedy Chandler | Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League) | at Tennessee 2021-22
Competing in the NBA G League, Kennedy Chandler has averaged 36.1 minutes per game with the Delaware Blue Coats, averaging an 18.1-point, 10.1-assist double-double through 26 contests. He has tallied season highs of 34 points (Nov. 29 vs. College Park), 16 assists (Dec. 6 vs. Long Island) in those categories, as well as added 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game to his line. He won NBA G League Player of the Week honors Dec. 2.
Jordan Gainey | KK Cedevita Junior Zagreb (Croatia) | at Tennessee 2023-25
In his first year as a pro, Jordan Gainey is competing for Cedevita Jr. in both Croatia-Primijer Liga and the FIBA Europe Cup. He has averaged 15.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game through 22 contests. His best performance came in FIBA Europe Cup play, as he tallied 26 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals against Keravnos on Oct. 22, shooting a sharp 9-of-10 from the field, including a 6-of-7 clip from deep.
Tyreke Key | Raptors 905 (NBA G League) | at Tennessee 2022-23
Now in his second campaign with Raptors 905, Tyreke Key is putting up another strong season. The third-year pro is averaging 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game and is improving as the season goes on. His 25-point showing Jan. 15 at Capital City marked his fourth consecutive outing with 23-plus points and his fifth of the year.
Kevin Punter Jr. | FC Barcelona Lassa (Spain) | at Tennessee 2014-16
Through 23 Euroleague games with Barcelona, Kevin Punter is averaging 14.8 points in 22.8 minutes per game, shooting a sterling 49.3 percent from within the arc and 39.1 percent from range. On Dec. 19 against Baskonia, Punter tallied 43 points, his top total of the season. One of the finest players in Europe, Punter was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month for December 2025.
Jordan McRae | Hapoel Holon (Israel) | at Tennessee 2010-14
A 12th-year pro with an NBA title to his name, Jordan McRae is excelling in his first season in Israel. He is averaging 14.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for Hapoel Holon. In the team's most recent outing, he notched his fifth 20-point performance of the year, tallying 23 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.
Other Vols Playing Professional Basketball
Information aided by Eurobasket LLC. Cover image courtesy of Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports.
VOLS IN THE NBA
Tobias Harris | Detroit Pistons | at Tennessee 2010-11
Now in his 15th season in the NBA, Tobias Harris is averaging 13.6 points in his 27.5 minutes per game. Despite missing a stretch in November, Harris has aided the Detroit Pistons to a 19-8 record in the 27 games he's played, including a 26-point performance in the Pistons' 138-135 win over Miami and a 24-point showing in his team's 136-127 win over Sacramento. Harris' Pistons currently boast the best record in the Eastern Conference. He is three appearances away from reaching 1,000 games played in the NBA.
Dalton Knecht | Los Angeles Lakers | at Tennessee 2023-24
The runner-up for AP National Player of the Year in his lone campaign as a Volunteer, Dalton Knecht is in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has aided the team to the sixth-best recorded in the Western Conference thus far in 2025-26. Knecht has scored 13-plus points in five of his appearances this season, including twice tallying 16.
Chaz Lanier | Detroit Pistons | at Tennessee 2024-25
Tennessee's single-season 3-point record holder, Chaz Lanier has played 16 games for the Detroit Pistons. He's logged season highs of nine points (Nov. 18 at Atlanta), four assists and four rebounds (both Nov. 14 vs. Philadelphia). The 2024-25 All-American is shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and is a perfect five-of-five at the line. Despite his limited minutes, Detroit has registered a 15-1 record in games he has appeared in.
Jahmai Mashack | Memphis Grizzlies | at Tennessee 2021-25
The rookie is on a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, which he inked Nov. 16, and is thus competing in both the NBA and the G League. Jahmai Mashack made his NBA debut Nov. 20 with six points on 2-of-4 long-range shooting in a win over Sacramento. Since then, he has made six additional appearances, most recently Jan. 7 against Phoenix.
Julian Phillips | Chicago Bulls | at Tennessee 2022-23
A third-year pro, Julian Phillips continues to serve as a key reserve for the Chicago Bulls. He has scored in double figures twice this season, as well as played at least a dozen minutes on 10 occasions. Phillips earned two starts in December, the sixth and seventh such nods of his career.
Grant Williams | Charlotte Hornets | at Tennessee 2016-19
After missing over 13 months of action following a knee injury, Grant Williams returned to the court Jan. 10 and has appeared in five games this month. In his debut performance, at Utah, he recorded nine points and eight rebounds. The two-time SEC Player of the Year is averaging 16.8 minutes per game this far, as he continues to work his way back from injury for the Charlotte Hornets, his hometown team.
VOLS IN THE G LEAGUE AND OVERSEAS
Kyle Alexander | Türk Telekom Ankara in Turkey | at Tennessee 2015-19
Now in his seventh year as a professional, Kyle Alexander is having a strong season in his second year with Türk Telekom Ankara in Turkey. The former NBA big man is producing 11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He has two double-doubles on the year, including an 18-point, 13-rebound showing Dec. 20 at Merkezefendi.
Kennedy Chandler | Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League) | at Tennessee 2021-22
Competing in the NBA G League, Kennedy Chandler has averaged 36.1 minutes per game with the Delaware Blue Coats, averaging an 18.1-point, 10.1-assist double-double through 26 contests. He has tallied season highs of 34 points (Nov. 29 vs. College Park), 16 assists (Dec. 6 vs. Long Island) in those categories, as well as added 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game to his line. He won NBA G League Player of the Week honors Dec. 2.
Jordan Gainey | KK Cedevita Junior Zagreb (Croatia) | at Tennessee 2023-25
In his first year as a pro, Jordan Gainey is competing for Cedevita Jr. in both Croatia-Primijer Liga and the FIBA Europe Cup. He has averaged 15.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game through 22 contests. His best performance came in FIBA Europe Cup play, as he tallied 26 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals against Keravnos on Oct. 22, shooting a sharp 9-of-10 from the field, including a 6-of-7 clip from deep.
Tyreke Key | Raptors 905 (NBA G League) | at Tennessee 2022-23
Now in his second campaign with Raptors 905, Tyreke Key is putting up another strong season. The third-year pro is averaging 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game and is improving as the season goes on. His 25-point showing Jan. 15 at Capital City marked his fourth consecutive outing with 23-plus points and his fifth of the year.
Kevin Punter Jr. | FC Barcelona Lassa (Spain) | at Tennessee 2014-16
Through 23 Euroleague games with Barcelona, Kevin Punter is averaging 14.8 points in 22.8 minutes per game, shooting a sterling 49.3 percent from within the arc and 39.1 percent from range. On Dec. 19 against Baskonia, Punter tallied 43 points, his top total of the season. One of the finest players in Europe, Punter was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month for December 2025.
Jordan McRae | Hapoel Holon (Israel) | at Tennessee 2010-14
A 12th-year pro with an NBA title to his name, Jordan McRae is excelling in his first season in Israel. He is averaging 14.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for Hapoel Holon. In the team's most recent outing, he notched his fifth 20-point performance of the year, tallying 23 against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.
Other Vols Playing Professional Basketball
- Jonas Aidoo (at Tennessee 2021-24) plays for the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G League
- Victor Bailey Jr. (at Tennessee 2019-22) plays for the Beijing Ducks in China
- Jordan Bone (at Tennessee 2016-19) plays for Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elion in Israel
- Jordan Bowden (at Tennessee 2016-20) plays for the Rostock Seawolves in Germany
- Wayne Chism (at Tennessee 2006-10) plays for Al-Muharraq in Bahrain
- Darlinstone Dubar (at Tennessee 2024-25) plays for Peiramatiko in Greece
- John Fields (at Tennessee 2010-11) plays for the Nhatrang Dolphins in Vietnam
- Josiah-Jordan James (at Tennessee 2019-24) plays for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in Israel
- Keon Johnson (at Tennessee 2020-21) plays for the Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
- Igor Miličić Jr. (at Tennessee 2024-25) plays for the Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League
- Olivier Nkamhoua (at Tennessee 2019-23) plays for Itelyum Varese in Italy
- Yves Pons (Tennessee 2017-21) plays for MoraBanc Andorra in Spain
- Josh Richardson (at Tennessee 2011-25) signed with Basket Zaragoza in Spain
- Admiral Schofield (at Tennessee 2015-19) plays for the Cairns Taipans in Australia
- Jaden Springer (at Tennessee 2020-21) plays for the Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League
- Lamonte' Turner (at Tennessee 2016-20) plays for BC Luleå in Sweden
- Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee 2019-24) plays for Penarol in Uruguay
- Uroš Plavšić (at Tennessee 2019-23) plays for Crvena zvezda in Serbia
- Zakai Zeigler (at Tennessee 2021-25) plays for Nanterre 92 in France
Players Mentioned
MBB | Rick Barnes Media Availability (1.23.26)
Friday, January 23
MBB | Nate Ament Media Availability (1.23.26)
Friday, January 23
Everything Orange S3 | Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Men's Basketball)
Friday, January 23
MBB | Nate Ament & Ja'Kobi Gillespie Postgame vs. Kentucky (1.17.26)
Saturday, January 17













