Shedeur Sanders Surprises Cleveland High School Team With Inspiring Visit; Tennessee Shows Renewed Interest in Duke Miles After His Texas A&M Exit
While headlines buzzed with excitement over Shedeur Sanders’ surprise appearance at a Cleveland high school, the University of Tennessee was quietly working to reshape its basketball roster for the upcoming season. One development grabbing attention was the Volunteers’ renewed interest in Duke Miles, a skilled shooting guard who recently reopened his recruitment after stepping away from a commitment to Texas A&M.
Initially, Tennessee had plans to host Miles on an official visit in late April. However, those plans were derailed when the 6-foot-2 Oklahoma Sooners transfer committed to Texas A&M during his campus visit there—just one day before he was supposed to arrive in Knoxville. That commitment now appears to be short-lived. After recently requesting a release from his National Letter of Intent, Miles is once again entertaining offers, and Tennessee is reportedly back in the running.
With only one remaining scholarship available, Tennessee has to be strategic about how it finalizes its roster. During last week’s Big Orange Caravan event, head coach Rick Barnes indicated that the team was likely to hold onto its final scholarship into the summer unless a perfect fit emerged. However, with Miles unexpectedly becoming available again, the Volunteers may be re-evaluating that plan.
According to Tobias Bass of The Athletic, Tennessee is one of nearly a dozen programs to reach out to Miles after his decommitment. Other schools that have shown renewed interest include Baylor, Gonzaga, and Vanderbilt. Baylor, in particular, had been slated to host Miles before he canceled that visit in favor of Texas A&M.
Despite the additions of Louisiana Tech transfer Amaree Abram and French prep standout Clarence Massamba, Tennessee’s depth at the shooting guard position remains uncertain. Abram, who committed and signed with Tennessee last week following his official visit, is expected to play a significant role. However, adding a proven guard like Miles would provide valuable reinforcement and flexibility—especially if Abram doesn’t immediately live up to expectations.
Miles comes with a strong résumé. He started all 34 games for Oklahoma in the 2024–25 season, showing consistency and reliability in the Sooners’ backcourt. Averaging 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, he was a dependable scoring option. His shooting from long range was particularly impressive—he made 40 three-point shots and posted a 43% accuracy rate from beyond the arc. That kind of perimeter shooting could be a significant asset to Tennessee’s offense, which has occasionally struggled with consistent scoring from deep.
The Vols have been actively reshaping their roster during the offseason. In addition to Abram and Massamba, Tennessee brought in two other transfers: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, a point guard from Maryland, and Jaylen Carey, a power forward from in-state rival Vanderbilt. These experienced additions are expected to bring maturity and balance to a roster that also includes five incoming high school recruits.
Leading the freshman class is five-star wing Nate Ament, who brings athleticism and elite scoring potential. He is joined by four-star wing Amari Evans and three-star point guard Troy Henderson, among others. With such a mix of talent and experience, Tennessee is building a team that could make a deep postseason run—if they can shore up their weakest areas.
The shooting guard spot remains the most pressing concern. Although Tennessee has brought in new faces, the position lacks the depth and proven consistency of other areas on the court. Adding Miles would not only address that shortfall but also give Barnes more options for both starting and rotational lineups. Given Miles’ ability to stretch the floor and his experience in a Power Five program, his presence would likely elevate Tennessee’s offensive efficiency and give the Vols a dangerous weapon in close games.
The future of Tennessee’s scholarship count is also worth monitoring. If the proposed House v. NCAA settlement is approved, the current scholarship cap of 13 could expand to 15, giving schools more flexibility in managing their rosters. Should that happen, Tennessee may no longer need to be as cautious with its final scholarship and could act more aggressively in securing another top-tier transfer like Miles.
Still, the decision ultimately rests with Miles. With renewed interest from major programs across the country, he will likely take his time to evaluate the best fit for his talents and aspirations. Tennessee, by all accounts, remains a strong contender—but it’s not a done deal.
As the college basketball offseason unfolds, the Vols are maintaining a careful balance between patience and opportunity. Coach Barnes’ comments suggest that the staff is not rushing to fill the final scholarship unless the right player becomes available. In Duke Miles, however, Tennessee may see the kind of player worth making an exception for.
This developing situation also highlights the volatility of the transfer portal era, where decisions can shift dramatically within days. The recruitment of Duke Miles is a case study in how quickly plans can change—and how programs must stay agile and ready to act when new opportunities arise.
With summer workouts and team practices on the horizon, Tennessee hopes to finalize its roster soon. Whether that includes Duke Miles remains to be seen, but the interest is real—and mutual. If he does end up in Knoxville, his impact could be immediate and profound, potentially filling the last remaining puzzle piece for a team aiming for a strong 2025–26 season.
In the meantime, Tennessee fans continue to watch the transfer market closely. As one of the few high-major programs still with scholarship space and the flexibility to maneuver, the Volunteers are positioned to make a final splash before the new season tips off. If Duke Miles is the one to fill that gap, Tennessee’s backcourt could become one of the most versatile in the SEC.
