JP Estrella’s Return Adds New Energy to Tennessee Basketball
There’s something special about a comeback-especially when it’s been months in the making. For Tennessee redshirt sophomore JP Estrella, stepping back onto the hardwood at Thompson-Boling Arena wasn’t just a return to action-it was a moment that marked resilience, growth, and a fresh start.
Estrella’s season last year was cut short almost as soon as it began. A foot injury just a few games in forced him to shut it down, sidelining him for the rest of the year.
That kind of setback can derail a young player’s momentum. But for Estrella, it became a different kind of opportunity-one that allowed him to see the game from a new perspective.
“It kind of sucked at the beginning,” Estrella admitted. “But once I took a couple of those steps after that first month that was kind of rough, I adjusted to my new role-being on the bench and being a vocal guy.”
That shift in mindset speaks volumes about Estrella’s maturity. He didn’t just sit and wait-he stayed engaged, became a communicator, and embraced the process of getting better, even when he wasn’t on the floor. He focused on the small wins, the incremental progress that builds confidence and character.
“Just taking the little steps and not worrying about taking the big steps-taking it little by little every day-I feel like that benefits anybody with anything in their life,” he said.
Fast forward to now, and Estrella is back in uniform, back in the rotation, and back to making plays. His return to game action was more than just symbolic-it came with impact. In his first game back at Thompson-Boling since November of last year, Estrella got a dunk that lit up the arena and reignited his own fire.
“I was a little nervous,” he said. “I forgot what it was like, but just being in the game and kind of getting back into the flow, it felt amazing.
I got a dunk. They called a timeout, and I was like, ‘Yeah, we are back.’
I was so excited.”
That kind of energy is exactly what Tennessee needs right now. The Volunteers are looking to right the ship after dropping three straight, and Estrella’s presence-both physically and emotionally-could be a stabilizing force. He’s still working through a few bumps in the road, but says he feels good and is ready for what lies ahead.
There’s no question that Estrella’s return brings more than just depth to the frontcourt. It brings leadership, perspective, and a player who understands what it means to fight through adversity. And as Tennessee prepares to host Louisville on Tuesday night, they’ll do so with a renewed sense of purpose-and a familiar face ready to make his mark all over again.