How Rick Barnes reacted to adding Dai Dai Ames to Tennessee basketball roster

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes entered the offseason tasked with replacing at least five of the Vols’ top six scorers, pending freshman forward Nate Ament’s NBA Draft decision.

The Vols started with Belmont graduate transfer and shooter Tyler Lundblade and continued with California transfer Dai Dai Ames.

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Barnes believes Ames can provide a consistent threat at all three levels of the court.

“We are excited to welcome Dai Dai and his family to the Tennessee basketball program,” Barnes said in a school release April 15. “He is an extremely competitive and coachable individual who really gels with our culture. Dai Dai can make shots in late-clock situations, which is a skill we were looking for in the portal.

“He is a crafty lefty with a strong frame who can finish at the rim through contact, as well as a superb movement shooter and an elite midrange scorer. All of that makes him a great fit for our system. Dai Dai really wants to be part of a winning team and contend for championships.”

Ames broke out at Cal in his junior season, averaging 16.9 points, 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds. He shot 46.4% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts per game.

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Ames started his career at Kansas State and was an immediate impact player as a freshman, starting in 16 of 31 games and averaging 20.5 minutes. He transferred to Virginia and started in 26 games. Ames didn’t reach double-digit scoring averages until last season at Cal.

The 6-foot-2 Ames and Lundblade are solid additions for Tennessee, but the Vols will need to add more capable scorers. Of their top three scorers, guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is out of eligibility, Ament could turn to the NBA and forward J.P. Estrella transferred to Michigan.

Ames posted his commitment to Tennessee on April 11.

The Vols now have eight players on their 2026-27 roster with Ames, Lundblade and Loyola (Chicago) transfer center Miles Rubin. Freshman forward DeWayne Brown II and freshman guard Troy Henderson are…

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Publish date : 2026-04-15 17:49:00

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