KNOXVILLE – Tennessee made the addition of guard Santiago Vescovi to the roster official on Monday.
It could not have come at a better time.
The 6-foot-2 international prospect officially signed with the Volunteers on Nov. 22 and will begin classes on Jan. 8, when the second semester begins. He still must clear NCAA as well as Southeastern Conference protocol before becoming eligible to play in games, and coach Rick Barnes said Friday that it was “highly unlikely” Vescovi would play this season, but he at least will be available for practice, which became all the more important Saturday.
“He got everything in place academically,” Barnes explained Friday. “We’re excited about him being here, but whether or not he plays this year, I would say it’s highly unlikely. But he will be here on the 28th.”
The Vols (8-3), who fell out of the Top 25 after consecutive losses to Memphis and Cincinnati, host Wisconsin this Saturday. The players are gone for a couple of days and will return to campus on Wednesday to prepare.