Tennessee basketball has had two players enter the transfer portal this offseason and one more addition could soon be coming according to Rick Barnes.
Freshman wing Quentin Diboundje “has a decision to make” according to Barnes about his future in Knoxville.
The french freshman played 35 minutes in his first collegiate season, tallying 12 points and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-5 wing was behind fellow freshman Jahmai Mashack in the rotation last season and Victor Bailey Jr. is the only wing that’s left Tennessee’s roster this offseason.
Playing time will be hard to come by for Diboundje again next season and his desire to be on the court could push him elsewhere.
“Quentin wants to play,” Barnes said. “With that said, we’ve had some talks about it with him. There is a possibility that he’s going to leave. Which I think if he does I think he’ll end up going to East Carolina with coach Schwartz. Because coach is going to hire a great friend of ours from France that really helped us recruit Yves (Pons), Quentin and some other guys. We all really respect Quentin a great deal, but he looks at our roster right now and he feels like for him to grow, but I think that’s what’s going to happen to be quite honest with you. It hasn’t become official but it’s going to happen.”
Schwartz was Diboundje’s lead recruiter when the forward signed with Tennessee last April. The Montpellier, France native was a three-star recruit coming out of his prep year at Montverde Academy in Florida.
Diboundje is a special athlete with strong measurables and defensive potential. While the wing has a solid jump shot, there’s still tons of room for offensive growth and development.
Schwartz is looking to improve the talent at East Carolina after the Pirates 15-15 record last year was their first season without a losing record in eight seasons.
Tennessee has had three players leave its program so far this offseason with Kennedy Chandler leaving for the NBA Draft and Victor Bailey Jr. and Handje Tamba entering the transfer portal.
The Vols have one incoming player in the 2022 signing class and currently have two open roster spots. Diboundje leaving for East Carolina would give Tennessee a third open spot.
Tennessee is in the top three for LSU transfer Brandon Murray and the Baltimore native is in Knoxville for a visit Thursday.
