Tennessee basketball’s Darlinstone Dubar was practicing on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the Vols’ matchup against Montana on Wednesday night.
Dubar is working off to the side with strength coach Garrett Medenwald at the start of practice and was doing similar activities during Monday’s practice according to a UT spokesperson. His status for the matchup against the Grizzlies remains uncertain.
Dubar missed nearly two weeks of practice and the first two games of Tennessee’s season while dealing with a “personal matter.”
“We’re leaving it up to him,” Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said of Dubar’s timeline to return following the Vols’ season-opener against Gardner-Webb. “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.”
The fifth-year senior traveled with the team to Louisville for the Vols’ 77-55 win on Saturday but did not dress out for the game.
Dubar transferred to Tennessee this offseason after spending three seasons at Hofsta. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season for the Pride while shooting an impressive 40% from three-point range. He was the Vols’ first transfer commit this offseason.
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The Charlotte native did play in Tennessee’s exhibition loss against Indiana, going scoreless while recording a steal and committing two fouls in five minutes of action.
What Dubar’s role will be when he returns to the court for Tennessee is uncertain. His shooting ability at Hofstra and physical build makes him a prime candidate to be a stretch-four in Tennessee’s system. However, Cade Phillips has impressed early this season and grabbed the reins of the backup four job behind Igor Milcic Jr.
The sophomore from Jacksonville, Alabama played 21 minutes in Tennessee’s win at Louisville. With Milicic picking up two quick fouls, Phillips got an abundance of run in the first half and recorded six points and six rebounds.
Dubar could also play the three-spot if Tennessee went to bigger lineups thanks to his strong shooting ability from the perimeter.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Montana is at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night ad the SEC Network+ is streaming the game.
