Tennessee basketball fans have reason to celebrate as forward J.P. Estrella is set to make his return against Missouri.
The SEC availability report for February 24 confirmed that Estrella will be active for the No. 22 Vols, who boast a 20-7 overall record and a 10-4 mark in conference play.
They'll face off against the Tigers, who stand at 18-9 and 8-6 in the SEC, at Mizzou Arena, with the game airing at 9 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
While it's not yet clear whether Estrella will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup or come off the bench, his return is a welcome boost for Tennessee. Estrella had been sidelined for the last two games due to soreness in his left foot, the same foot that required surgery and kept him out for the entire 2024-25 season.
Despite his absence, the Vols held their own with victories over Oklahoma and a road win against No. 21 Vanderbilt. Jaylen Carey stepped up in Estrella's place alongside Felix Okpara, and DeWayne Brown II made the most of his increased minutes off the bench.
Since breaking into the starting lineup during Tennessee's road win against No. 18 Alabama, Estrella has been a key contributor, averaging 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds.
The Vols have gone 6-1 with him as a starter, underscoring his importance to the team's success. His return could be pivotal as Tennessee looks to maintain their momentum heading into the crucial stretch of the season.