Tennessee Basketball Eyes Amaree Abram as Key Shooting Guard Addition

Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers have been busy retooling their roster this offseason, but one puzzle remains unsolved — the starting shooting guard spot. With the departures of Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack, and Jordan Gainey, Tennessee is still searching for a reliable backcourt scoring threat to round out a promising 2025-26 lineup.

That search may be narrowing with the visit of former Louisiana Tech guard Amaree Abram. As reported by Knoxville News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson, Abram is on campus today (Monday) to meet with the coaching staff and explore his potential role with the program. He brings a blend of experience, versatility, and perimeter shooting that aligns perfectly with what Tennessee needs.

Abram, a 6-foot-4 guard, had a breakout season at Louisiana Tech, starting all 32 games and averaging 12.3 points per game. He connected on 66 three-pointers while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc — a stat that immediately makes him a valuable commodity for a Vols team that struggled with consistent perimeter shooting last season.

Originally a four-star recruit in the class of 2022, Abram began his career at Ole Miss, where he showed flashes of his scoring potential. He was ranked as the No. 64 overall player in his class and the 11th-best point guard nationally. After a brief and limited stint at Georgia Tech, Abram found his footing at Louisiana Tech, showcasing his ability to create offense and defend multiple positions.

For Barnes, the fit is clear. The Vols have already secured Maryland point guard transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who is expected to run the offense. In the frontcourt, Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey brings depth, while incoming five-star recruit Nate Ament adds NBA-caliber talent to the wing and forward spots. However, consistent three-point shooting remains a glaring hole — and Abram could be the answer.

With three scholarships still open, Tennessee is expected to add at least two more guards. If Abram’s visit goes well, he could be the first of those additions, bringing scoring, experience, and a much-needed shooting presence to a Tennessee team aiming for another deep NCAA Tournament run.

Barnes has done plenty of evaluating this offseason — now he might be on the verge of locking in the final piece. Could Amaree Abram be the one to finally solve the Vols’ shooting guard riddle?