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The Tennessee basketball team is off to its best start in more than two decades. The Vols have won each of their first 11 games, earning the No. 1 spot in the most recent AP Poll.
On Monday, the team learned that one highly rated contributor won’t be returning this season. Cameron Carr has opted to shut his season down as he recovers from an injury.
The news went public as Tennessee geared up for a matchup against Middle Tennessee State. Carr, once a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle, appeared in 16 games as a freshman.
He added to that experience as a sophomore before suffering a thumb injury on November 17. The ligament setback required surgery with the program placing a timeline of 4-6 weeks on recovery. He’s now on Week 5 of that rehab process, recently having a cast removed from his hand.
The Vols had hoped that signaled a return to the floor for SEC play. Instead, it’s resulted in a transfer portal entry.
BREAKING: Tennessee guard Cameron Carr will be transferring from Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/3dz2cuppBq
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) December 23, 2024
Cameron Carr has appeared in four games this season. He’s scored 19 points on 5-8 shooting across 41 minutes of play. That included a season-high 13 points against Montana the game prior to his injury.
Rick Barnes had applauded his efforts on the court, though he noted that the guard had work to do before landing a spot in the starting rotation.
“I think he’s really starting to figure out exactly what he’s gotta do to play. It has nothing to do with the offensive end. It’s being effective defensively.”
-Rick Barnes
Assistant coach Rod Clark said that Carr had been “really good” in his rehab efforts. Based on that initial timeline, he was set to return within the next week or two. Instead, he’s leaving the program altogether.
For the Vols, it represents the latest setback to a thin lineup. They entered the year with 11 scholarship players, failing to fill the 13 possible spots. Four players left the team through the transfer portal this past spring. Center JP Estrella, meanwhile, had season-ending foot surgery last month.
Tennessee has been able to overcome the shortcomings thus far. Things will get tougher in conference play. They’ll be forced to play another man down following Cameron Carr’s transfer decision. We’ll see if the Vols can continue holding onto that No. 1 ranking.