Tennessee's Derrick Walker Jr., right, trails Auburn's Danjel Purifoy as he drives to the basket during the SEC tournament title game March 17 in Nashville.KNOXVILLE - According to multiple media reports Wednesday, Tennessee forward Derrick Walker Jr. has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.
AL.com first reported Walker's decision.
The 6-foot-8, 236-pound Walker played in 30 games as a sophomore this past season and averaged 5.3 minutes, usually entering to spell Kyle Alexander or Grant Williams. In his most extensive action against Southeastern Conference competition this year, Walker had three points and three rebounds in 13 minutes in the Volunteers' 92-70 win at South Carolina on Jan. 29. As a freshman, he had his best game against the Gamecocks, hitting all five of his shots for 10 points and grabbing four rebounds in a career-high 25 minutes in the 70-63 win on Jan. 20, 2018.
He has played in 64 games for the Vols, averaging 1.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field.
Walker's decision to enter the portal does not equal an imminent transfer. Other schools now have permission to contact him, and he can weigh his options and make a decision to transfer or return to Tennessee.
Factoring in Walker, the 2019-20 Vols could be without five scholarship players from this past season. Alexander and guard Admiral Schofield were seniors this past season, and Williams and fellow junior Jordan Bone are testing the NBA draft waters. Bone, Schofield and Williams have been invited to the NBA draft combine on May 15-19 in Chicago.
The Vols have signed three new players for next season: swingman Davonte Gaines, guard Josiah James and forward Drew Pember.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.