The Lady Vols basketball program is seeing some significant changes as another promising freshman, Lauren Hurst, has entered the transfer portal. This development, reported on Thursday, marks the second freshman departure following Deniya Prawl's announcement earlier in the week. Despite these exits, Mia and Mya Pauldo and Jaida Civil remain committed to the roster.
Hurst, a standout four-star recruit and a top-50 prospect, was ranked No. 45 overall and No. 9 among wings in the 2026 class by ESPNW. Hailing from nearby Cleveland, Tennessee, she was expected to make a substantial impact at UT.
Although she struggled for playing time early in the season, Hurst found her rhythm later on, averaging 2.2 points per game with impressive shooting stats: 48.8% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc. In her 24 appearances, which included one start, she also contributed 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.
Her standout performance came against Ole Miss, where she scored a career-high 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and snagged two steals, hitting four three-pointers in the process.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Hurst isn't just a basketball talent; she's also committed to volleyball at Tennessee, showcasing her versatility as a two-sport athlete. Additionally, she shares a family connection to the program as the younger sister of Vols basketball guard Grant Hurst.
This season, the Lady Vols finished with a 16-14 record, going 8-8 in SEC play. They entered the SEC Tournament as a 6-seed but were ousted by Alabama in the second round. In the NCAA Tournament, they secured a 10-seed but fell to NC State in the Round of 64.
Hurst's departure makes her the fourth player to enter the transfer portal, joining teammates Prawl, Alyssa Latham, and Kaniya Boyd. As the Lady Vols navigate these roster changes, they'll be looking to rebuild and strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season.