LeBron James’ latest deal with the Philadelphia 76ers is drawing attention for more than just the name on the contract. The 41-year-old NBA star reportedly signed a two-year, eight-million-dollar agreement on Friday, and his 2026-27 salary will be $3,876,529.
That number immediately sparked comparisons, including one that lands right in Tennessee basketball’s lap. According to On3, Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris is set to make $4 million this year with the Vols, putting him just ahead of James for the upcoming season.
Harris is expected to be Tennessee’s leading scoring option this season, and he arrives after a productive sophomore year at Wake Forest. He averaged 21.4 points while shooting 44.4% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. The Salisbury, North Carolina, native also knocked down 87 threes during the 2025-26 season.
“I’ve seen it (improve) tremendously,” Harris said about his game this summer. “Definitely on the defensive end and playing more into the ball, getting off different type of ball screens, getting through them. So I really seen a lot of improvement on the defensive end.”
Tennessee added Harris as part of a deep portal haul that also includes VCU’s Terrence Hill Jr., Cal’s Dai Dai Ames and Belmont’s Tyler Lundblade. The Vols also brought in Notre Dame wing Jalen Haralson, Kennesaw State forward Braedan Lue, VCU forward Christian Fermin and Loyola (Chicago) forward Miles Rubin.
Along with the transfers, UT is adding four freshmen: wing Chris Washington, wing Manny Green, wing Ralph Scott and guard Marquis Clark. The roster also brings back forward DeWayne Brown II and guard Troy Henderson.
In Other News...
Tennessee Just Gave Vols Fans The Adidas Answer They Wanted
The long-awaited switch to adidas is now official for Tennessee football, and the early signs are exactly the kind of detail Vols fans were watching for. The programs new look includes orange and white accessories like gloves, arm sleeves and cleats, a small but meaningful change after plenty of concern that the rollout might lean too heavily on black and white.
Josh Heupel has already framed the partnership as more than a uniform change, pointing to the financial support and resources that come with it for the program. The first full on-field reveal is still ahead, with Tennessee set to debut its adidas uniforms in the season opener against Furman at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026, but the early photos have already answered one of the biggest questions surrounding the move. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Think One Obvious Vol Got Disrespected Again
Tennessees preseason All-SEC third-team list gave the Vols a solid showing, with DeSean Bishop, David Sanders Jr., Wendell Moe and Arion Carter all earning media recognition. It was the kind of early nod that usually helps set a tone for the fall, especially for a roster that expects to lean on several established pieces as it heads toward 2026.
Braylon Staley was the name fans immediately circled anyway. After a strong 2025 season and SEC Freshman of the Year honors, the wideout was viewed by many as the most obvious omission, and the reaction only sharpened the sense that Tennessee may again be leaning on one of its most productive young pass-catchers. Staley is expected back as a starter, but with the third receiver spot still unsettled after Chris Brazzells departure, the conversation around the Vols passing game is far from finished. [Read more 🡒]
Neyland Just Earned The SEC Respect Tennessee Fans Crave
Neyland Stadium got the kind of respect Tennessee fans have been waiting to hear during SEC Media Days, with players around the league putting it at the top of the conferences toughest places to play. For a program that has spent years trying to turn its home field back into a real edge, that kind of peer-to-peer recognition carries more weight than any offseason hype.
The timing is notable, too, because Tennessee did not exactly overwhelm opponents in Knoxville last season and now faces a brutal home slate in SEC play. Texas, Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Kentucky are all set to come through Neyland next fall, giving the Vols a chance to prove the stadiums reputation still matches what happens on the field, even if the leagues preseason forecast has them sitting eighth. [Read more 🡒]