A week ago, Tennessee Basketball extended head coach head coach Rick Barnes received a contract extension through 2027-2028. He would be 73 at the end of that season. However, if the recruiting trail is any indication, he’s not going anywhere.
The Vols picked up their first commitment of the 2024 recruiting class in four-star North Carolina combo guard Bishop Boswell. Standing at 6’4″ 195 pounds, Boswell hails from Charlotte, N.C., and attends Myers Park High School.
Boswell is the first commitment Barnes has ever had whose first year on campus will be after Barnes turns 70, assuming he stays head coach and Boswell doesn’t commit. The Mecklenburg County prospect announced his commitment to Tennessee Basketball live on 247Sports.
Given the way college basketball works now, we have no idea what this team will look like in 2024. However, with two post players committed to this year’s class in J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips, neither of whom is a one-and-done prospect, Barnes could have his long-term roster coming together.
Obviously, there will be some openings next year since Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi will be out of eligibility, as will incoming transfer Dalton Knecht. All three are potential two or three players, so Boswell could fill a void by any of them leaving.
At the same time, though, this is actually a younger-than-usual Tennessee Basketball team, as there are no seniors outside of those players. As a result, Boswell could just be coming to add depth. Either way, this offseason proved Barnes isn’t going anywhere, and this move further proves that.
Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance, Barnes has retooled the roster this year to be more guard and three-point shooting oriented. Boswell is more of Barnes’ traditional style: an elite passer and great defender who can drive to the basket. He should fit in to the program with ease.
