Rick Barnes on Darlinstone Dubar signing: 'What we're about, he's about'

Portal additions have a lot to do with fit as much as they do with just talent. That’s why Rick Barnes and Tennessee were so glad to earn the commitment of Hofstra’s Darlinstone Dubar because of how he slots right in to their program.

Barnes spoke about the transfer of Dubar to Knoxville during a media availability back on April 18th. He said that he’ll fit in perfectly with their team based on their standards. Thats especially so with what he had to say about competing for them on the defensive end.

“Again, a guy that’s just what we were just talking about. What we’re about, he’s about,” said Barnes.

“I just loved hearing him talk about how excited he is to play defense with Jahmai (Mashack) and those guys – I mean with (Zakai Zeigler),” Barnes said.

That only further adds to what he can be for the Volunteers considering what else Barnes says that he’ll be able to bring, both on and off the court, to their building.

“Again, versatility – he has that,” Barnes said. “He has got the right mindset and he wants to get better.”

“Special kid, very special kid,” said Barnes. “You can tell he’s a worker. Got a lot of desire and he want to be really good.”

Dubar spent the past four seasons at Iowa State and Hofstra, including the past three with the Pride up in Hempstead, New York. In his 116 appearances, he has averaged 11.7 points and five rebounds while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.1% from three.

As a senior this last year, Dubar posted career stats at 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals. He did so while shooting 53.9% overall and 39.9% from distance on over two triples per game.

Dubar entered the portal right away upon its opening back in mid-March. Then, after a month, he committed to come to Rocky Top for his fifth year.

Dubar gives Tennessee the No. 60 overall transfer and the No. 12 SF per On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players. He also makes it three portal additions for the Vols so far this offseason along with Ohio State’s Felix Okpara (No. 54, No. 8 C) and Charlotte’s Igor Milicic Jr. (No. 151, No. 36 PF).

Tennessee and Dubar look to be a match with what both sides were looking for. Barnes feels that way too after bringing him in as a transfer for next season’s roster in Knoxville.

“We’re really excited because, I mean, everybody we bring here? We know that we want them, we bring them here,” said Barnes. ‘He saw what he wanted, knew he wanted to be a part of it.”