Tennessee’s 2017 class is now full following the signing of 2017 junior college guard Chris Darrington. Tennessee confirmed the signing after Darrington announced his decision during a ceremony at his school on Thursday afternoon.
“Chris brings two qualities we were looking for: confidence and the ability to score the basketball,” Rick Barnes said in a release on Thursday. “Chris’ experience at Vincennes was valuable because he has developed an appreciation for what goes into winning. A lot of guys can score, but not many can do so and win. He has been very well coached, and we expect him to come into our program with a great foundation.”
Darrington is a combo guard who can play the point or the two. He’s ranked as the No. 6 JUCO guard in the nation by 247Sports and as a three-star prospect overall.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard played at Vincennes (Ind.) University last season and garnered offers from Memphis, Toledo, Colorado, Nebraska, Loyola, Western Kentucky and several other Division I programs.
He averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game last season, per his team’s website. He shot 43.1 percent from 3-point territory as well.
The Vols are replacing seniors Robert Hubbs III and Lew Evans following the 2016-17 campaign, as well as dismissed guard Detrick Mostella and guard Kwe Parker, who transferred following the season.
Tennessee signed three forwards in the 2016-17 class – Yves Pons, Zach Kent and Derrick Walker – leaving a spot for a guard such as Darrington to come in and contribute in the backcourt alongside the likes of Jordan Bone, Lamonte Turner, Jordan Bowden, Shembari Phillips and Jalen Johnson.
