The start of the 2025-26 basketball season may still be months away, but it’s never too early to look ahead—especially for Tennessee Vols fans eager to see what the future holds. All eyes will be on the program’s newest additions, and two names in particular are already generating plenty of buzz.
Transfer guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and 5-star forward Nate Ament—Tennessee’s highest-rated signee in program history—are both on campus in Knoxville and working out with their new teammates. Early reports and practice footage making the rounds on social media suggest things are off to a strong start.
Expectations are sky-high for the duo, and for good reason. If their chemistry and talent translate to the court, they could play a major role in pushing the Vols toward uncharted territory—perhaps even a long-awaited trip to the Final Four.
Tennessee fans are already buzzing about what Nate Ament and Ja’Kobi Gillespie might bring to the table in Knoxville. Sure, it’s only summer workouts, and the regular season is still a ways off—but it’s hard not to get excited watching these two in action.
Practice clips making the rounds show Ament and Gillespie knocking down shots from all over the court, giving a glimpse of the offensive firepower they could add to the lineup. The potential is real, and fans are understandably hyped.
Of course, next season will have a different feel. The departures of Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack leave a noticeable void, as both were key contributors and emotional leaders for the program. And with Chaz Lanier heading to the NBA Draft, that’s another big piece Tennessee will have to replace. But with new faces stepping up, the future is full of promise.
Still, Rick Barnes has done an impressive job reloading through the transfer portal and a strong 2025 recruiting class—enough to have fans counting down the days until tip-off. Nate Ament turned heads when he committed to Tennessee, and he’s well aware of the buzz surrounding his name.
The same goes for Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who was outstanding during his time at Maryland. While success next season will depend on the entire roster coming together, Ament and Gillespie are clearly the headliners—the ones fans are watching most closely.
So far, early glimpses from workouts are delivering real optimism. If things continue trending this way, the 2025-26 season could be one Vol Nation remembers for a long time.
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