Tennessee continued its men’s basketball success in the NCAA transfer portal Monday, signing former Wake Forest small forward Juke Harris.
The 6-foot-7, 200-pounder from Salisbury, North Carolina, averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists this past season as a sophomore for the Demon Deacons. He was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s second team after averaging 22.9 points in league contests, the second-highest such total in program history and the highest since Charlie Davis during the 1970-71 season.
“Juke is not only an explosive talent but also a humble young man from a great family,” Volunteers coach Rick Barnes said through a release. “One of the premier scorers nationally, he possesses the ability to put the ball in the basket in numerous ways from all over the floor. Juke can take over a game and impose his will at any time.
“He is a versatile player who can handle the ball in transition, and he has the length to make an impact defensively. As someone we were familiar with from his high school recruitment, Juke was a primary target for us as soon as the portal opened, and he fits well with the roster we have assembled.”
Harris is Tennessee’s seventh portal addition since its third consecutive journey to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight round ended with a loss to eventual national champion Michigan. He is also the fifth who averaged at least 15 points per game at his former school, joining Dai Dai Ames of California (16.9), Jalen Haralson of Notre Dame (16.2), Tyler Lundblade of Belmont (15.6) and Terrence Hill Jr. of VCU (15.0).