Rick Barnes on if players can return after hitting transfer portal: 'It's based on how it happened'

The transfer portal window is open and active this April, and Tennessee, like every other program, is recruiting some transfer targets while also losing some of their own.

For Rick Barnes, the portal offered a cornucopia of riches recently, including SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht in 2024, along with guards like Tyreke Key and Jordan Gainey on the last few Vols teams. But of course, Tennessee has also lost some guys (such as DJ Burns!) over the years, and this year have already seen several step out the door and into the portal.

So, at a recent press conference, one reporter wondered if Barnes would allow any Tennessee transfers for ultimately return to the roster if they so chose. He answered that it just depends on the situation.

“It’s based on how it happened. You’re always flexible, open to it, but some cases, yes, some cases, no,” explained the Volunteer head coach.

The reporter came back specifically asking about Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka, who entered the portal after coming off the bench for 10 and 13 minutes per game each of the last two seasons, his first two in college.

“Yeah, we respected Tobe a lot and we still do,” said Barnes, explaining why sometimes these decisions to transfer aren’t always the best in hindsight.

“But often times, we’ve had guys tell us after they had left they made mistakes, and sometimes in the rush of a moment, people can listen to people and realize that maybe they should have waited and thought it out a little bit more.”

So, Tennessee will remain a possible option for Tobe Awaka if he does change his mind down the road. But for now, Rick Barnes is hard at work building out the 2024-25 roster without the assumption Awaka will be back.

“Tobe, obviously we all respect him and love him for what he did for us and. But if he feels he’s got to go through the process, he needs to do it, but with that said, we’re not waiting, because we’re going to move forward and build this roster as quickly as we can.”

Awaka averaged just over five points and four rebounds per game this year as the first Volunteer forward off the bench. With another Tennessee big, starting center Jonas Aidoo, also hitting the portal, perhaps Awaka would have that larger role he cherishes if he does now decide to come back.