Say what you want about the prospects of Tennessee’s 2019-20 season, but Rick Barnes might just have this roster ready to roll after the 2020 recruiting class signs. Barnes has already secured a commitment from five-star wing Corey Walker. He’s also got Tennessee positioned as the likely leader for highly ranked four-star guard Keon Johnson.
Now Tennessee has landed inside of the top five for five-star shooting guard Jaden Springer. The 6-4, 195 pound prospect is the 11th ranked player in the 2020 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Springer attends the IMG Academy in Florida.
2020 five-star Jaden Springer is down to 5 schools. @jadenspringer11 pic.twitter.com/yZOC49X5fZ
— TIPTON EDITS (@TiptonEdits) July 8, 2019
Florida, North Carolina, Memphis and Michigan joined Tennessee in his top five. The Tar Heels currently hold crystal ball projections, per 247 Sports.
Springer plays for the B.Maze Elite AAU team, which by former Tennessee point guard Bobby Maze.
He officially visited Tennessee back in March, part of that star-studded group that watched the Volunteers dominate the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Since then, the Gators and the Tar Heels have sent out offers to Springer.
Tennessee is set to lose Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden after this season, freeing up two additional spots for Rick Barnes to fill. With D.J. Burns in the transfer portal, it’s possible Barnes could sit on that open spot that he has right now, just as he did last year. That would give Tennessee three openings on the roster to fill with the 2020 class. However, as we’ve seen this offseason, things can change quickly in the college basketball world.
Here’s a quick look at Springer, who could take Tennessee’s 2020 class from great, to elite.