Tennessee predicted to go all-in for former No. 1 center, rim protector to replace Felix Okpara
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Tennessee predicted to go all-in for former No. 1 center, rim protector to replace Felix Okpara originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tennessee Volunteers have seen significant roster turnover during this transfer portal cycle, with Troy Henderson, Nate Ament, Ethan Burg, and Dwayne Brown among the few remaining from last season. There will be plenty of holes to fill following the wave of departures.
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“Forward Jaylen Carey plans to enter the transfer portal for Tennessee basketball, he said via a shared Instagram post. He joins forward J.P. Estrella, guards Bishop Boswell and Clarence Massamba as portal entries, all announced April 6. Forward Cade Phillips announced on April 3 his intentions to enter the portal, which opens April 7 and runs through April 21,” Knoxville News Sentinel’s Wynton Jackson wrote.
The Vols are expected to be aggressive over the next few weeks, especially with Rick Barnes and the program seeing an increase in NIL resources. One name to watch is former Georgia Tech center Mouhamed Sylla.
“Sylla is an absolute beast at 6-foot-10, 240 pounds who could fill in perfectly for the Vols at center, taking Felix Okpara's spot. As a freshman in 2025, Sylla averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 21 minutes a game for the Yellow Jackets. Sylla is a defensive-minded big man who can rebound, roll to the basket off screens, and be a lob threat,” All For Tennessee’s Conner Linsner wrote.
Sylla was a major addition for Georgia Tech and was even ranked as the No. 1 center in the 2025 recruiting class.
“Sylla, who is originally from Senegal, is On3’s No. 14 overall prospect in the 2025 class and the No. 1 ranked center,” Rivals’ Joe Tipton wrote.
With Felix Okpara moving on and most of the frontcourt departing aside from Dwayne Brown, landing a player like Sylla would be a significant boost for Barnes. Sylla brings a similar rim-protecting presence and may even offer greater long-term upside.
There is little doubt the Vols will have the financial resources to make a competitive offer, but Tennessee has so far been cautious about overpaying. As the weeks progress, Sylla and Tennessee will be closely monitored, as the fit between the two appears strong.