Amari Evans is heading to Rick Barnes’ old stomping ground, and Tennessee will see the ex-Vol next year
The former Vol is remaining in the SEC, and he’ll get a shot against his former team next season.
Tennessee has seen plenty of former players from the 2025-26 season catch on with notable programs so far this offseason.
J.P. Estrella is joining defending national champion Michigan. Bishop Boswell is off to Maryland. Cade Phillips will suit up for Texas A&M next season. Jaylen Carey will be manning the post for the Missouri Tigers in 2026-27.
Another former Tennessee Vol has finally made his college choice. Guard Amari Evans has committed to Rick Barnes’ former school, the Texas Longhorns, for next season, per multiple outlets and Evans himself on Twitter (X).
Evans committed to Tennessee out of Overtime Elite in Atlanta, Georgia. A consensus top 80 recruit nationally, he picked the Vols over Pittsburgh and Xavier.
As a freshman last season, he totaled 4.1 points per game for the season. He did, however, see increased playing time last in the season with Nate Ament being out with an ankle injury. In the regular season finale against Vanderbilt, he totaled 24 points in Tennessee’s 86-82 loss to their intrastate rivals.
Evans’ departure was a bit of a sting, as he had flashed some potential late in the season. However, Barnes did a tremendous job of addressing the guard position in the transfer portal, snagging Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame), Tyler Lundblade (Belmont), and Dai Dai Ames (California), with more help potentially on the way. As such, there shouldn’t be any drop off at the guard position.
In any event, the Vols will get an up close and personal look at their former player next year, with Evans deciding to remain in the SEC to continue his college career.