Tennessee basketball landed its second commitment in the transfer portal on Sunday night when Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey committed to the Vols over interest from Auburn, Texas, Mississippi State and Missouri.
Carey played his freshman season at James Madison before transferring to Vanderbilt for his sophomore season where he averaged eight points and 5.7 rebounds per game as the Commodores returned to the NCAA Tournament.
What is Tennessee getting in Carey and how will they use him? Taking a look here.
What Are Carey’s Strengths?
Carey is a dawg. His toughness and physicality is his biggest strength. He is a 6-foot-8 power forward but his physicality at 265 pounds allowed him to play center effectively for the Commodores last season.
The Vanderbilt transfer is a good low post scorer and finishes well around the basket. Carey was particularly effective as an offensive rebounder and did a great job finishing second chance opportunities. Carey’s 1.24 points per possession off of offensive rebounds ranked in the 69th percentile last season. He’s also capable of putting the ball on the floor, driving to the basket and scoring.
Carey’s offensive game is relatively raw but he comes to Tennessee as a plus defender. His physicality allows him to effectively defend on the post while his athleticism makes him capable of defending on the perimeter. Carey is also a solid rim protector for his build.
How Will Tennessee Use Carey?
There’s some questions here because of the contents of the next section. But Carey will mostly play the four-spot next season with an ability to also play the five-spot if needed.
Carey ranked in the 61st percentile as a post up scorer last season, turning them into 0.94 points per possession. After Tennessee had zero big men to throw the ball into last season, they’ll be able to throw it to both Carey and JP Estrella when they need a bucket next season.
The Davie, Florida native was slightly below average as a pick-and-roll big man. Playing the four-spot, I don’t expect to see him play in that role as much. However, Carey was heavily effective scoring on dives, particularly from the baseline. Expect him to do that more at Tennessee while also being a lob threat from that spot.
Questions About Carey’s Game?
The big question for Carey’s game at Tennessee is how much he improves as a three-point shooter. Carey made just nine three-pointers at a 23% clip last season and he banked in two of those triples.
But Carey told RTI that Rick Barnes likes his shot and believes he can develop it into a real threat with some simple tweaks. That would change a lot for Carey’s fit at Tennessee and the Vols’ ability to space the court.
A perfect scenario for Carey next season at Tennessee? He gives the Vols production like Thomas Haugh gave Florida this season: 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with 35 made three-pointers at at 34.7% rate. A more realistic goal? Nine points and six rebounds per game with 30 made three-pointers at a 32% rate.
What Does Carey’s Commitment Mean For Tennessee?
That Tennessee will play much more two big lineups than they have the last two seasons. The Vols’ best lineup down the stretch of the season included Jahmai Mashack at the four-spot. Two seasons ago Josiah-Jordan James started at the four-spot as a stretch forward.
Barnes’ 11th Tennessee squad is going to play more two big lineups. The Vols should also be a really good rebounding team because of the way they’ve built the roster.
As for future offseason movement? Tennessee is probably done at the four and five spot. Look for them to add a three-man that is also capable of playing as a stretch four, giving the Vols a small-ball lineup. Two names to watch are five-star Nate Ament and Lincoln Memorial transfer Elyjah Freeman.
