Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee basketball power forward Cade Phillips intends to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens next Tuesday, On3’s Joe Tipton first reported and a trusted source confirmed to RTI on Friday afternoon.

Phillips missed most of his sophomore season after undergoing left shoulder surgery back in December. He played in 10 games and started nine for Tennessee this season, averaging 3.8 points, four rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Tennessee was confident that Phillips would be able to medically redshirt. If that proves true, Phillips will still have two years of availability remaining.

A three-star in the 2023 recruiting cycle, Phillips had a limited role as a freshman where he played six minutes over his 13 games played over the course of the season. His biggest role came a season later as a sophomore.

With J.P. Estrella missing much of the 2024-25 season due to a foot injury, Phillips was one of two true big men on Tennessee’s roster along with Felix Okpara. He played in 38 games and averaged 4.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 14.9 minutes per game.

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The 6-foot-9 power forward is a high-level athlete allowing him to play center despite his smaller size. Phillips is a good rim protector and a lob threat. Rick Barnes frequently raved about Phillips’ defensive versatility with his ability to defend the perimeter and the rim.

Phillips is also a strong piece of Tennessee’s culture, tying with JP Estrella as the longest tenured player on the Vols’ roster. He was one of the Vols’ three representatives at SEC Media Days last fall. For Phillips’ many strengths, he is not a strong offensive player and has showed little on that end other than being a rim threat.

The forward is the first Tennessee player to announce intentions to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens next week. The Vols have already added one transfer in Belmont sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade who was able to enter the portal early since he was a graduate transfer.

With Phillips gone, Tennessee now has one scholarship available for next season. The Vols will likely have more become available as others enter the portal and if Nate Ament declares for the NBA Draft as expected.