With Lady Vols basketball just days from their 2023 Foreign Tour, Tennessee coach Kellie Harper made one thing clear – everyone is going, both old and new.
UT’s 2023-24 roster features three incoming guards, two of whom are seniors and one sophomore. Harper said she is thrilled to see how the new Lady Vols immerse themselves with a big trip ahead.
“Everybody gets to travel and we’re excited about our newcomers. They’ve brought up really good energy, a good skill set and really fitting right in. It’s been a lot of fun,” Harper said.
Joining the squad for the 2023-24 season are senior guards Jewel Spear (Wake Forest) and Destinee Wells (Belmont) and sophomore guard Avery Strickland (Pitt).
Although the new additions are still fresh to the team, they have made a huge effort to get settled according to Harper.
“I think right now the practices for us look a little different because we’re trying to get ready to play. We’re trying to move quickly through some simple items and they have picked things up.”
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Aside from Tennessee’s newest transfers a familiar face returns as well- senior center Tamari Key.
Key was a starter for the Lady Vols until the discovery of blood clots ended her season after she played just nine games.
Harper said for now, they are playing it safe.
“We’re still going slow with her taking our time getting her back in. She can practice without restrictions except for any that we’re putting on her as a coaching staff and as athletic training staff just to make sure that we’re progressing her in a safe way,” Harper said.
Tennessee women’s basketball will begin its 11-day journey on Sunday/ They Lady Vols will participate in two games while visiting Greece and Italy.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lady Vols basketball transfers and Tamari Key heading to Europe