With the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball program bracing for the loss of multiple players, the Mocs finally have the expectation of getting something back from the NCAA transfer portal when a 15-day window opens Tuesday.
Tre Powell, a 6-foot guard from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, announced his nonbinding commitment to UTC this week via social media after playing previously at Goldey-Beacom College, an NCAA Division II program in Wilmington, Delaware. In his Twitter post, he wrote that “all the long nights, sacrifices, and doubt built me for this moment. I’m coming in hungry, focused, and ready to make my mark.”
Powell, who will have two seasons of eligibility remaining, is the second known addition to UTC’s 2026-27 roster, joining 7-foot incoming freshman John Fleeman from Kingsville, Missouri. Fleeman signed in November at the same time as guard Jonathan Moss, who later requested to be released and was granted that opportunity by UTC.
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As a sophomore this past season, Powell was the catalyst for the Lightning, when he averaged 19.3 points and 4.6 assists, made 66 3-pointers at a 42% rate and posted a dozen 20-point games, including a career high of 33. He made the All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference first team and the D2CCA All-East Region second team while guiding the Lightning to 21 wins and the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance.
In just two seasons at Goldey-Beacom, Powell scored 968 points (averaging 15.9 per game), made 109 3-pointers and handed out 214 assists.
The Mocs, who won the 2025 National Invitation Tournament but are coming off their first losing season since 2017-18, must replace five players who used their final season of NCAA eligibility, and they are expected to lose three scholarship athletes to the transfer portal: guard Jordan Frison and forwards Sebastian Hartmann and Collin Mulholland.
(READ MORE: UTC big man Collin Mulholland plans to enter transfer portal)
In addition, former McCallie standout Parker Robison has announced his intention to enter the portal after two seasons with the Mocs. The 6-foot walk-on from Chattanooga was a success story, playing in 51 games during his time at UTC — he totaled 51 points, 50 rebounds and 27 assists — and making his lone start when the Mocs coasted to a 103-46 home win against NAIA member Oakwood on Dec. 9.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.