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The 2019 NCAA Tournament is in full swing, but the college basketball transfer market is already starting to heat up. We’re seeing some big coaching moves around the SEC, which includes Alabama firing Avery Johnson. That decision by the Crimson Tide has left a couple of key players wanting out.
Both John Petty and Kira Lewis Jr. have entered the NCAA’s transfer portal. According to 247 Sports, Tennessee has already been in contact with Lewis, along with several other schools.
According to sources, Lewis has heard from Tennessee, Connecticut, Auburn, TCU, Memphis, Iowa State, Nevada, Pittsburgh, Georgia, Northwestern, Providence, Oklahoma State, Murray State, Baylor, Duke, Detroit-Mery, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Miami, Arizona, Indiana and Louisville.
Dazon Ingram and Daniel Giddens have also decided to transfer out of Alabama.
Tennessee offered Lewis during the 2018 recruiting cycle, where he was the 39th overall player and the 9th ranked point guard in the country. Lewis was the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama.
The 6-3 guard averaged 13.5 points as a freshman this season for Alabama. He handled 31 minutes per game, shooting 43 percent from the field. After appearing in 34 games, Lewis would have to sit out a year at his new school, but would still have three years of eligibility remaining.
For Tennessee, things remain up in the air for next year. They’re set to lose Kyle Alexander and Admiral Schofield for sure, but NBA decisions loom for Grant Williams and Jordan Bone. Lewis would be an option for the 2020-21 season, which is where the Vols would definitely need help after Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden graduate.
So Lewis wouldn’t be able to help what could potentially be another loaded roster next year, but he could help usher in a totally new core in 2020. With the player development going on in Knoxville right now and a clear opportunity coming available down the road, Tennessee may just intrigue Lewis. This is one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.