Kennedy Chandler named to McDonald’s All-American team

Be honest, how many times have you wished for Kennedy Chandler to join this Tennessee basketball team this year? That obviously can’t happen, but this roster certainly could use a creator like him right now. They’ll get that next season, though it’s unclear who Chandler will be playing with at this point in the 2021-22 season.

The five-star point guard is Tennessee’s prized possession of the 2021 class, and he’s the latest Volunteer to be named to the McDonald’s All-American team.

Chandler makes it three consecutive seasons for a Tennessee commit to be named to the event, following Josiah-Jordan James in 2019 and Jaden Springer in 2020. Chandler is the tenth player in Tennessee history to be named to the game.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Chandler is the 13th ranked player in the class overall. He’s the second-ranked point guard prospect, trailing only Alabama’s JD Davison. Chandler stands in at 6-1, 165 pounds, and is regarded as a true floor general type player that can get to the rim — something Tennessee hasn’t really had since Jordan Bone’s final season.

Following this season, Tennessee will be waiting on several decisions that will shape next year’s roster. Freshmen Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson are likely to leave early for the NBA draft, while Yves Pons could certainly pass on his extra season of eligibility and follow them. John Fulkerson could return, and Rick Barnes has already said that he expects E.J. Anosike to come back. Tennessee also signed four-star guard Jahmai Mashack in their 2021 class.

The McDonald’s All-American game will not be played in 2021 due to the pandemic. Chandler will take the floor in Knoxville in November, likely immediately becoming the focal point of the Tennessee offense.