The Tennessee Lady Volunteers are turning the page to a bold new era—one defined by elite talent acquisition, revitalized program expectations, and a hunger to reclaim their place atop women’s college basketball. After years of promising but inconsistent results, the Lady Vols have emerged as one of the clear winners of the 2024-25 offseason. Their historic haul—a No. 1-ranked transfer portal class and the No. 2 overall high school recruiting class, according to ESPN—positions Tennessee to make an immediate and sustained push for national relevance.
This dual-pronged recruiting success, combining seasoned veterans with top-tier freshmen, is a statement. It is the result of aggressive recruiting, enhanced player development under new leadership, and a renewed sense of identity that ties back to the legacy of Pat Summitt while embracing the modern game.
The transfer portal has transformed the landscape of college basketball, and no program has embraced this reality more effectively than Tennessee. The Lady Vols’ 2024 portal class has been rated No. 1 by ESPN, and for good reason—it includes a mix of veteran leadership, elite two-way players, and immediate-impact talent.
Key additions include:
- Janiah Barker (Texas A&M): The 6-foot-4 forward was one of the top players in the SEC during her time in College Station. A former McDonald’s All-American, Barker brings elite rebounding, mid-range scoring, and defensive versatility to the frontcourt. She averaged 14.3 points and 8.1 rebounds last season.
- KK Bransford (Notre Dame): A crafty combo guard who was a key contributor for the Irish, Bransford adds scoring punch and playmaking skills. She fits perfectly into a backcourt that will now have increased depth and flexibility.
- Aneesah Morrow (LSU): The former DePaul standout and All-American who transferred to LSU in 2023 will now bring her relentless rebounding and inside scoring to Knoxville. Morrow is a double-double machine, known for her toughness and work ethic. She averaged 15.9 points and 9.4 rebounds in the 2023–24 season.
- Olivia Cochran (Louisville): A strong and experienced post player who brings physicality and championship experience. Cochran has played in deep tournament runs and gives Tennessee a defensive anchor in the paint.
- Talia von Oelhoffen (Oregon State): A silky-smooth shooter with strong court vision, von Oelhoffen adds perimeter scoring and floor spacing—an area Tennessee desperately needed to upgrade.
Collectively, this group transforms Tennessee into one of the deepest and most experienced teams in the country. More importantly, these are not just individual talents—they are high-character leaders with proven track records, handpicked to address specific team needs.
While the transfer class brings experience, Tennessee’s No. 2-ranked high school class ensures the future is just as bright as the present.
The class is headlined by:
- Joyce Edwards (5-star, No. 3 overall): A generational wing prospect, Edwards is a 6-foot-2 do-it-all forward from South Carolina. She’s long, athletic, and brings a defensive tenacity reminiscent of Tamika Catchings. Offensively, she’s versatile—capable of hitting threes, slashing to the rim, or pulling up from midrange.
- Jordyn Palmer (5-star, No. 10 overall): The Texas native is a physical presence in the paint with polished footwork and soft hands. She averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per game in her senior season and dominated on the summer circuit.
- Angelina Pellicciotti (4-star, No. 34 overall): A heady point guard with a high basketball IQ, Pellicciotti brings leadership and poise. She could easily carve out backup point guard duties in her first season.
- Kayla Simmons (4-star, No. 50 overall): A stretch-four with a confident shooting stroke, Simmons adds frontcourt shooting depth and has major upside as a pick-and-pop option.
These freshmen aren’t merely supplemental pieces—they’re foundational building blocks. With the right mentorship and court time, several of them could earn meaningful minutes in their first year.
Much of this momentum is credited to the new leadership in Knoxville. After the departure of Kellie Harper, Tennessee underwent a rigorous national coaching search and ultimately handed the reins to [insert head coach name if known, or placeholder].
The new head coach emphasized culture-building, NIL strategy, and aggressive recruiting from day one. They leaned into the Lady Vols’ storied tradition while modernizing the program’s messaging and playing style. Players and recruits were drawn not just to the name “Tennessee,” but to a clear vision of where the program is headed.
“We’re building something sustainable,” the coach said during their introductory press conference. “We’re going to play fast, defend with pride, and return this program to the national conversation.”
That mission is clearly resonating, as evidenced by the offseason haul.
For many longtime fans, this feels like a return to the Lady Vols’ roots—recruiting the best, developing talent, and competing for championships. Since the retirement and later passing of legendary coach Pat Summitt, the program has seen ups and downs, but never quite reclaimed its place as a perennial Final Four contender.
This new era signals a return to those expectations—not just hope for a tournament run, but belief that Tennessee belongs in the title hunt.
Former players have taken notice, too. Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings, and Chamique Holdsclaw have all posted on social media in support of the new direction. The program’s legendary alumni base remains deeply invested, and the energy around the team has not felt this electric in over a decade.
With the combination of portal veterans and elite freshmen, Tennessee could field a top-five roster in the country entering the 2024–25 season. Key returning players like Sara Puckett and Karoline Striplin offer continuity and depth, but the new faces will lead the charge.
The projected starting lineup might look something like this:
- PG: KK Bransford / Talia von Oelhoffen
- SG: Joyce Edwards
- SF: Janiah Barker
- PF: Aneesah Morrow
- C: Olivia Cochran
Bench depth will be a strength. Pellicciotti, Simmons, Palmer, and Puckett could all provide instant energy and quality minutes.
This team should not only contend in the SEC—which continues to be the toughest conference in women’s college basketball—but also compete for a high NCAA Tournament seed. Matchups against South Carolina, LSU, and UConn will serve as measuring sticks, but Tennessee now has the firepower to go toe-to-toe with anyone.
The Lady Vols’ success this offseason serves as a model for how to win in today’s rapidly evolving college basketball ecosystem. It blends tradition with innovation:
- Recruit elite freshmen through a strong brand and developmental pipeline.
- Target top-tier transfers with immediate eligibility and positional fits.
- Leverage NIL and program visibility to retain and attract talent.
- Embrace modern analytics and style of play, especially on offense.
- Strengthen culture and leadership, both on and off the court.
In many ways, Tennessee has laid the foundation for sustainable excellence, not just a single-season splash.
For a program with eight national championships and an unmatched legacy, the standard is nothing short of greatness. The Lady Vols are no longer simply hoping to catch lightning in a bottle—they are building a roster and culture designed to win championships.
The message to the rest of women’s college basketball is clear: Tennessee is back.
And this time, they’re not just chasing history—they’re ready to make some of their own.
