Tennessee center JP Estrella is out for the Vols’ instate matchup against Austin Peay on Sunday afternoon with a left foot injury, a UT Spokesperson confirmed to RTI.
Estrella is Tennessee’s backup center behind Felix Okpara and is averaging 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds through the Vols’ first three games of the season. The sophomore has played just 10.3 minutes per game so far this year due in part to injuries.
A foot injury sidelined Estrella for a large part of Tennessee’s offseason as he slowly started doing more-and-more team activity as preseason practice churned on. Estrella also suffered a right ankle injury in practice right before the start of the season that made him a game-time decision in the season-opener against Gardner-Webb.
A 6-foot-11 center, Estrella had a limited role in his freshman season behind Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka but finished the season strong by playing well in extended minutes in the Vols’ Elite Eight loss against Purdue and Zach Edey.
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With Aidoo and Awaka transferring out this offseason, Estrella is stepping into a larger role despite being Ohio State center transfer Felix Okpara’s backup.
Sophomore forward Cade Phillips will step up as Okpara’s absence with Estrella out. The 6-foot-9 big man has split time at both the four and five-spot so far this season. A scrappy defender, Phillips is averaging 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game so far this season.
Tennessee is looking to stay unbeaten on the young season as they host Austin Peay in its final tuneup before the Baha Mar Tournament next week. Austin Peay is also off to a hot start to the season, entering the instate matchup 3-0 with an upset win at Butler.
Tipoff between the Vols and Govs is at 3 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. The SEC Network+ is streaming the game.
