Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar missed Tennessee basketball’s season-opening victory over Gardner-Webb on Monday night as he continues to deal with a personal matter. There’s no current timetable for when Dubar could return to the court.
“(The) timetable (for his return is) with him right now,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said postgame. “We’re leaving it up to him. He’s around, and he’s still here with us every day, and we just want to make sure he knows that we’re there for him and everyone around has been. Tough time for him, just personally, that I think he’s dealt with it for a while. But we love him to death and we miss him, but it’s up to him.”
Dubar missed Tennessee’s practice open to the media last Thursday after playing in the exhibition game against Indiana. He is currently with the team and was on the bench for the Vols’ season opener against Gardner-Webb.
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The 6-foot-6 transfer averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season at Hofstra while shooting an impressive 40% from three-point range. He was the Vols’ first transfer commit this offseason after playing one season at Iowa State and three seasons at Hofstra.
Dubar was competing with sophomore Cade Phillips to earn playing time as Igor Milicic Jr’s backup at the four-spot. With Dubar sidelined, small forward Jahmai Mashack can also play the spot as a small ball option.
Tennessee is very banged up to open up the 2024-25 season. Freshman guard Bishop Boswell missed the season-opener while in concussion protocol and centers Felix Okpara and JP Estrella both played while battling injuries.
The Vols return to the court on Saturday when they travel to Louisville to face a much improved Cardinals team. Tipoff at the KFC Yum! Center is at noon ET. The ACC Network is broadcasting the game.
