Five former Vols projected to be selected in NBA draft
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Five former Vols projected to be selected in NBA draft
Ken Lay, Vols Wire·Vols Wire
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2 min read
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The NBA draft will tip off Tuesday with the first round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York (ABC/ESPN). The two-round draft with 60 picks will conclude Wednesday.
Five Former Vols are projected to be selected in the draft, with two slated to be drafted in the first round on Tuesday.
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Ahead of the the first round, Jeremy Woo of ESPN released a mock draft. He projects Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament to be selected in the first round by Dallas (No. 9 overall).
Ament, in his only season with the Vols, averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game, while playing 29.7 minutes per contest. He earned SEC weekly honors seven times and was named SEC Freshman of the Week six times.
Cameron Carris projected to be selected by Chicago with the No. 15 overall pick.
He played for the Vols from 2023-25. As a freshman in 2023-24, Carr appeared in 14 games, including six starts. He totaled 23 points in seven assists, while playing 60 minutes during his first collegiate season. In 2024-25, Carr appeared in four games before leaving the program and transferring to Baylor.
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Ja'Kobi Gillespieis projected as a second-round pick by Miami (No. 41 overall).
Gillespie played one year for the Vols and appeared in 37 games (37 starts). He holds the program's single-season record for steals (79). Gillespie also recorded 201 assists and converted 103 three-point attempts. He was the first Vol to score 650 points and record 200 assists in a season.
Felix Okparais projected to be selected with the No. 42 overall pick by San Antonio. He played for the Vols for two seasons, appearing in 73 games (72 starts). Okpara started all 38 games for Tennessee in 2024-25 season, setting a single-season record.
He was one of four Tennessee players in program history to record two 50-block seasons, joining Grant Williams, Kyle Alexander and C.J. Black.
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Tobe Awakais projected to be drafted No. 50 overall by the Toronto. He played for Tennessee from 2022-24 before transferring to Arizona. In two seasons at Tennessee, Awaka averaged 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks, while playing 13.1 minutes per contest.
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
June 23, 1999: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks puts up a shot over Sean Elliott #32 of the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the NBA Finals at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
15 June 15, 1999: Allan Houston of the New York Knicks chats with the media before practice in preparation for game one of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Knicks will play the San Antonio Spurs.
(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks goes to the basket past David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks shoots over Mario Elie of the San Antonio Spurs in first quarter action during game one of the NBA Finals 16 June 1999 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Larry Johnson (C) hugs teammate Allan Houston (L) as Kurt Thomas looks on after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the NBA finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won the game 89-81.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) goes for a shot in front of San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson during game four of the NBA Finals 23 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) shoots over San Antonio Spurs player Antonio Daniels during game three of the NBA Finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Spurs lead the series 2-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
Allan Houston of the New York Knicks warms up June 24, 1999 before practice at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Knicks trail the San Antonio Spurs three games to one in the NBA Finals best-of-seven game series.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (L) drives by San Antonio Spurs player Mario Elie during game five of the NBA Finals 25 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Timothy A. Clary, AFP via Getty Images)
New York Knicks players Latrell Sprewell (8), Charlie Ward (21), Allan Houston and Larry Johnson (R) react after the team was given a technical foul for an illegal defense during Game 1 of the 1999 NBA Finals June 16. The Knicks lost the game to San Antonio, 89-77.
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
New York Knicks' Allan Houston (R) moves the ball around San Antonio Spurs' Jaren Jackson during first quarter action in Game 3 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 21.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
New York Knicks guard Allan Houston (R) shoots past the outstretched defense of San Antonio Spurs guard Jaren Jackson during action in the second quarter of Game 4 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 23.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
Tim Duncan (TOP) of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball against Allan Houston and Chris Dudley (R) of the New York Knicks 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
1/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
1/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
2/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
June 23, 1999: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks puts up a shot over Sean Elliott #32 of the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the NBA Finals at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
3/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
15 June 15, 1999: Allan Houston of the New York Knicks chats with the media before practice in preparation for game one of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Knicks will play the San Antonio Spurs.
(Matthew Stockman, Getty Images)
4/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks goes to the basket past David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
5/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (L) of the New York Knicks goes around Malik Rose of the San Antonio Spurs 18 June 1999 during game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
6/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston (R) of the New York Knicks shoots over Mario Elie of the San Antonio Spurs in first quarter action during game one of the NBA Finals 16 June 1999 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
7/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Larry Johnson (C) hugs teammate Allan Houston (L) as Kurt Thomas looks on after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the NBA finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won the game 89-81.
(Robert Sullivan, AFP via Getty Images)
8/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) goes for a shot in front of San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson during game four of the NBA Finals 23 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
9/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (R) shoots over San Antonio Spurs player Antonio Daniels during game three of the NBA Finals 21 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Spurs lead the series 2-0.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
10/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Allan Houston of the New York Knicks warms up June 24, 1999 before practice at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. The Knicks trail the San Antonio Spurs three games to one in the NBA Finals best-of-seven game series.
(Jeff Haynes, AFP via Getty Images)
11/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks player Allan Houston (L) drives by San Antonio Spurs player Mario Elie during game five of the NBA Finals 25 June, 1999 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
(Timothy A. Clary, AFP via Getty Images)
12/15
Tennessee's ties to Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks players Latrell Sprewell (8), Charlie Ward (21), Allan Houston and Larry Johnson (R) react after the team was given a technical foul for an illegal defense during Game 1 of the 1999 NBA Finals June 16. The Knicks lost the game to San Antonio, 89-77.
(Mike Blake, REUTERS)
13/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks' Allan Houston (R) moves the ball around San Antonio Spurs' Jaren Jackson during first quarter action in Game 3 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 21.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
14/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
New York Knicks guard Allan Houston (R) shoots past the outstretched defense of San Antonio Spurs guard Jaren Jackson during action in the second quarter of Game 4 of the 1999 NBA Finals at New York's Madison Square Garden, June 23.
(Ray Stubblebine, REUTERS)
15/15
PHOTOS: Allan Houston with Knicks in 1999 NBA Finals
Tim Duncan (TOP) of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball against Allan Houston and Chris Dudley (R) of the New York Knicks 18 June 1999 during game two of the NBA Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. The Spurs lead in the best-of-seven series 1-0.
(Paul Buck, AFP via Getty Images)
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