Tennessee’s Amaree Abram on Coach Rick Barnes’ Philosophy: “He Doesn’t Want Soft Guys — He Only Recruits the Tough Ones”

Amaree Abram hasn’t been in Knoxville long, but he already understands what it means to wear the orange and white under Rick Barnes. The Tennessee Volunteers head coach has cultivated a certain kind of culture in the men’s basketball program—one that values grit over glamor, effort over entitlement, and most of all, toughness over talent. For Abram, a transfer guard with a chip on his shoulder and plenty to prove, the message Barnes delivered hit home immediately.

“He only recruits tough guys,” Abram said recently. “If you’re not tough, you’re not going to last here. Period.”

That kind of mantra might sound harsh to some, but to those who know the DNA of Barnes-led teams, it’s right on brand. For years, Barnes has built Tennessee into a nationally respected program not by chasing highlight-reel players, but by developing grinders—young men who aren’t afraid to dive on the floor, absorb contact, and play defense like their scholarships depend on it. Because, in a sense, they do.

Abram’s statement isn’t just a soundbite. It’s a window into the soul of a program that’s risen to consistent SEC and national relevance under Barnes. The Vols have won with players like Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield, Santiago Vescovi, and most recently Zakai Zeigler—all of them mentally tough, defensively dialed-in, and wholly committed to the team-first mentality Barnes demands.

So when Abram, who played his last season at Georgia Tech and previously spent time at Ole Miss, says Barnes doesn’t recruit soft players, he’s speaking from experience. “This is different,” he said of his early practices in Knoxville. “The drills are hard. The expectations are high. The energy never stops. And that’s how it should be if you want to win at the highest level.”

Abram arrives at Tennessee with a résumé that shows flashes of offensive upside. He averaged double figures as a freshman at Ole Miss and showed the ability to run an offense while scoring from all three levels. But Barnes wasn’t recruiting Abram simply for his scoring—he was watching how he responded when things didn’t go his way. Did he play through contact? Did he get back on defense after a turnover? Was he mentally engaged on every possession?

These are the questions Barnes asks of every player he considers bringing into his program. And according to Abram, the expectations were made crystal clear even before he committed.

“Coach Barnes told me straight up—he’s not going to baby you,” Abram said. “You’ve got to earn everything. You’ve got to want to be coached hard. That’s not for everybody, but that’s what I was looking for.”

That mindset fits right in with the Volunteers’ brand of basketball. Over the past several seasons, Tennessee has consistently ranked among the nation’s top teams in defensive efficiency. They play physical, positional defense, rotate with discipline, and box out with fury. There’s no room for passengers on a Barnes-coached team—everyone must contribute, especially on the less glamorous end of the floor.

That defensive identity is why Tennessee has become such a tough out in March. And it’s why Barnes has become one of the most respected minds in college basketball, despite not always having the flashiest recruits. He doesn’t chase stars. He chases substance.

For a player like Abram, who still has room to grow but possesses undeniable talent, Tennessee represents the perfect proving ground. Under Barnes, he knows he’ll be held accountable—on and off the court.

“There’s a lot of programs that will let you slide if you’re scoring,” Abram said. “Here, that’s not enough. You’ve got to defend. You’ve got to be a leader. You’ve got to bring it every day, in the gym, in the film room, in the weight room.”

That standard is why Tennessee has developed so many success stories under Barnes. Grant Williams was a three-star recruit who became an SEC Player of the Year and now stars in the NBA. Zeigler was under-recruited and undersized, but turned into the heartbeat of the Vols. Even Josiah-Jordan James, once a five-star prospect, learned quickly that rankings don’t matter much once you’re in Barnes’ system. What matters is how hard you work and how well you compete.

Abram isn’t trying to compare himself to anyone just yet. He’s focused on fitting in, earning his minutes, and making sure he lives up to the expectations that come with being part of this program.

“I’m not coming here thinking anything is going to be handed to me,” he said. “I’m trying to be one of those tough guys Coach Barnes talks about. I want to be someone who sets the tone.”

If he does, Tennessee might have landed one of the more underrated transfers in the SEC. Abram brings size to the backcourt, a smooth jumper, and a willingness to absorb contact in the lane. But it’s his attitude that may end up being his biggest asset.

“I like that it’s hard here,” he added. “That’s how you grow. I came here to get better, and Coach Barnes is going to make sure that happens—as long as I bring it every day.”

Barnes himself has spoken glowingly of Abram’s early buy-in. While he doesn’t hand out praise lightly, he’s been impressed with the guard’s willingness to embrace the tough love coaching style that has made the Vols such a consistent contender.

“Amaree’s a competitor,” Barnes said. “He’s not afraid of being challenged, and he wants to win. That’s the foundation. We can work with that.”

In today’s college basketball landscape—where the transfer portal and NIL opportunities have reshaped roster building—it would be easy for a coach like Barnes to chase flash. But that’s never been his style. His longevity and success are a testament to the staying power of his values. He wants high-character, high-effort guys who understand that winning requires more than just scoring points.

Abram appears to understand that perfectly. He’s not looking for shortcuts. He’s looking to put in the work, be coached hard, and contribute to something bigger than himself.

And that’s precisely what Rick Barnes wants.

As the 2025-26 season approaches, all eyes will be on how Tennessee integrates its new pieces. With Zeigler returning and veterans like Jahmai Mashack and Jonas Aidoo still in the fold, Abram won’t be asked to carry the load alone. But he’ll be asked to compete—and in Barnes’ world, that’s the highest expectation of all.

“You’ve got to want to be here,” Abram said. “You’ve got to be about the right stuff. Coach Barnes sees through everything, and if you’re not built for it, it’ll show quick.”

Fortunately for Tennessee, it seems like Amaree Abram is built for it.

And that’s why he’s exactly the kind of player Rick Barnes recruits.