What Rick Barnes said Tuesday about Tennessee basketball's offseason

Rick Barnes met with reporters before Tuesday afternoon’s Tennessee basketball practice at Pratt Pavilion, updating the progress of the Vols during summer workouts and his team’s new-look roster:

The importance of summer workouts in the transfer portal era

“I don’t know if it’s any more important because every year we look at it like we have to start over with our team. Because whoever you lose and whoever you come in with, you know you’re really starting new. I think you have to reset that part of your program. I think you have to reset that part of your program every year, in terms of not taking anything for granted. We certainly have foundation blocks in place where it’s good to have older guys back. I think our older guys have done a terrific job helping these young guys, coach (them). We’ve seen them, they’re very active with it. Ever since we’ve started, we’ve tried to taper a little bit more this year. We felt that we wanted to do a lot of teaching with these guys early. And obviously knowing we’ve got a foreign trip here at the end of the month, having that stuff in when we’re there, we can be ready for certain situations. And certainly we won’t have everything because we haven’t had the entire team together all summer.”

The benefits of Tobe Awaka playing with Team USA in the U-19 World Cup and Freddie Dilione going to the Team USA Camp

“I think it’s been great for both of them. I don’t think there’s any question it was great for Tobe and the experience he got from it. I think he would tell you that he loved every minute of it. I think a situation like that can help a person like Tobe really get confidence and grow, especially with the way he performed. Freddie went right up to basically the last cut. And he was disappointed, but yet he came back. And since he’s been back he’s had a terrific attitude and has been working hard. But I think anytime those guys get a chance to go try out and represent our country, I think it’s great thing.”

Tennessee junior point guard Zakai Zeigler’s recovery

“If you ask him, he’d tell you right now he wants to practice today. When we first started we came out doing some simple passing drills and he wanted to jump right in and we have to keep holding him back. I think if you talk to (trainer) Chad (Newman) and (strength coach) Garrett (Medenwald) they’d both tell you he’s ahead of where he wants to be but we’re not going to let (him) come back until we know he’s 100% ready and that won’t be until late in the fall probably, but he’s itching and he would tell you right now his left leg is stronger than his right leg which is obviously a good thing and shows you how — you guys have seen him play. You know what’s in his DNA. I think he’s gone at this rehab the way you would expect him to do. He’s been a model patient in terms of doing it but he is impatient because he’s ready but we obviously won’t let that happen. We have a timetable with him and we’ll stick with that timetable.”

The process of Tennessee fifth-year senior wing Josiah-Jordan James deciding to return for a fifth season

“I think what he did shows you just how much he cares about this university and our basketball program. He knew that we couldn’t wait until the very last day to build a roster. Santi knew that, he knew that. They all knew that, with the transfer portal being what it so, so drawn out, that we couldn’t wait. But yeah, he knew all along that he needed to go through this process. And he was hearing good things right up until the very end. Then he just felt like he wanted to come back. I think Jo was disappointed last year that he didn’t have the year that he (wanted to) have. Because he didn’t get a chance to really prepare the way he would like, in terms of missing some of the summer and then obviously getting hurt again at the end of the year. Him coming back and doing what he’s doing, I think speaks volumes to his love and loyally to this university. He and Santi this summer have already been great leaders for these guys coming in. That’s what we need. I think that’s what those guys at the end of this year, when their time is up, they’ve probably played in as many college games as anybody when it’s done. But I don’t think anyone will ever understand the impact they’ve made, or they’re making right now, from a leadership standpoint.”

What he’s seen from Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht

“A gym rat. He is in the gym. I think he’s been in the gym every day he’s been here. It’s all new to him, obviously. What we do and how we do it, it’s new to anybody who comes in here for the first time. But he’s a versatile player. Offensively is skilled and can do a lot of different things. Obviously defensively will be the biggest thing— he’ll have to learn our system and what we need there but he’s working at it every day and anybody that has the passion that he has will figure it out quick. Obviously we expect big things from him.”

Tennessee freshman center JP Estrella and what he could do to play as a freshman

“In some ways I might tell you that JP has been one of the biggest surprises in terms of his competitive spirit. He’s starting to get, he and Jonas (Aidoo) went at it early a little bit and Chris (Ledlum) before his injury. Then with Tobe (Awaka) getting back, it’s a whole different ballgame for him, which is going to help him. But in terms of his work ethic, we knew he had the character. I’ve said many times that you don’t know about a competitive spirit or a work ethic until you’re really with somebody. He has both of those and he has a bright future. He can do a lot of different things. Just a matter of getting consistent. And like any young guy coming in, (he’s) adjusting to the physicality, to the grind of what he has to go through. Because I’m sure he would tell you if he were standing here this is one of the hardest things he’s gone through to this point. But he’s handled everything extremely well.”

The benefit of Tennessee redshirt freshman guard Freddie Dilione being able to enroll early and sit out as a redshirt the second half of last season

“I think the beneficial part was the time he got to spend with (strength coach) Garrett (Medenwald). Just the fact that his body has changes so much since the time that he got here. Once he came, he did spend a lot of time on the scout team and not a lot of attention was given to him in terms of what we do as much, with him working with the scout team. I think the experience he had with Team USA was good for him. But his body has definitely changed. He’s a guy that has got tremendous ability and can do a lot of things. We’re excited about him.”

Tennessee junior wing Jahmai Mashack’s offseason

“I would say he’s gotten better there too (with his jump shot). I think this offseason he’s worked on a lot of things. Him not being here, you really how much you do miss the intangibles that he brings to our team. He can play now, honestly, eery position on the floor. And he has. Because when Tobe wasn’t here, there were times he played any position he had to play. Obviously going with VolLeaders is a great thing, a great growth opportunity for him in a lot of different ways. But we miss him right now in practice. But that’s good for him. He had a good spring and had a good summer before (going overseas).”

What he’s seen from Tennessee redshirt freshman wing DJ Jefferson

“Much improved. He’s improved in a lot of different areas. I think as he continues to mature, and he’s doing that, he’s extremely athletic. Probably the most athletic player on our team. Can do a lot of things as he continues, agin, to learn the defensive side of it and learn how to stay within himself. He’s got a chance to help us.”

What it says about DJ Jefferson that he was willing to redshirt and be patient

“I think it speaks volumes about him but also about his family. They’re looking at the long run. I think he’s got a terrific future, I do. I think he can help us this year in a big way too. I think it goes back where his family knew, they saw where he was. Like us, they know he’s got a great future and they want to make sure he has a chance to live up to that potential.”

Tennessee freshman wing Cameron Carr getting here a little later in the summer, how he’s done

“I was with him for the first time, really, I think yesterday was the second real practice. We’ve all, as a staff, been impressed with his basketball IQ. He’s picked up stuff quickly. He’s long, athletic. Very long. Shoots the ball well, obviously. For a guy that just jumped right in, you’ve got to give him some props. He hasn’t flinched. He just walked in and, again, he’s picked up a lot of things quickly, which isn’t always easy to do.”

His impressions of Harvard transfer Chris Ledlum and USC Upstate transfer Jordan Gainey

“Both of them understand how to play. Both of them have the ability to create their own shots. They both understand the game. They both, again, highly competitive. Highly competitive and have added to us and both of them are still learning the system. In terms of what they’ve shown us from their work ethic, their attitude, their willingness to come right in and blend in with our team and program has been great. Both of those guys are going to add a lot to us.”