Tennessee Basketball: Freshman DeWayne Brown Emerges as Preseason Surprise for Vols

Rick Barnes has a deep and experienced frontcourt. But his biggest preseason surprise is a freshman. The Tennessee Basketball coach revealed that newcomer DeWayne Brown is forcing his way into the rotation.

Barnes made the comments at SEC media days in Birmingham. He expressed confidence in his returning post players but singled out Brown for his rapid development. The freshman’s progress has been accelerated by competing daily against veteran center Felix Okpara.

Barnes Praises Brown’s Accelerated Development

Brown was the first commit in Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class. The four-star prospect was a highly-touted player from Hoover, Alabama. According to Barnes, the coaching staff was unsure how quickly he would adapt to the college game.

His learning curve shortened due to circumstance. Redshirt sophomore JP Estrella has been sidelined with an ankle injury. This forced Brown into more reps against established players. Barnes confirmed the freshman has taken full advantage of the opportunity.

Vols’ Frontcourt Depth Receives Major Boost

Tennessee’s roster features significant returning talent. Felix Okpara is back after a strong season as the starting center. Junior forward Cade Phillips also returns to provide energy and defense off the bench.

The addition of Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey adds another proven piece. Barnes noted that Carey previously played well against the Vols. This depth creates competition, but Brown’s emergence gives Barnes five reliable options for the post. This internal competition is expected to elevate the entire group’s performance throughout the season.

The unexpected rise of DeWayne Brown provides a significant depth boost for Tennessee Basketball. His rapid adaptation suggests the Vols’ frontcourt could be even stronger than anticipated. Barnes now has a five-man rotation to deploy in the post this season.

Dropping this nugget your way

Who is DeWayne Brown?

DeWayne Brown is a freshman center for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was a four-star recruit from Hoover, Alabama and the first commit in the Vols’ 2025 class. Coach Rick Barnes has labeled him a preseason surprise.

What did Rick Barnes say about him?

Barnes stated Brown was “probably the biggest surprise” of the offseason. He said the freshman’s development against Felix Okpara in practice has been impressive. Barnes confirmed Brown will be a part of the regular rotation.

Who are the other big men for Tennessee?

The Vols return senior Felix Okpara and junior Cade Phillips. They also added Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey. Redshirt sophomore JP Estrella is working back from an ankle injury.

How does this impact the team’s depth?

Brown’s emergence gives Tennessee five viable post players. This creates intense internal competition and practice matchups. The increased depth should help manage foul trouble and fatigue over a long season.

Why was Brown’s development accelerated?

An ankle injury to JP Estrella opened more practice reps. Brown was forced to go against starting center Felix Okpara every day. This trial by fire accelerated his growth and readiness.