Rick Barnes still hopeful Jalen Washington can become eligible

Tennessee is still in wait and see mode for an important potential piece of their 2026-27 puzzle. Jalen Washington is seeking a fifth year of eligibility after testing the NBA waters this summer. The former Vanderbilt Commodore and North Carolina Tar Heel made the decision to try for that final year after playing in the NBA Summer League back in June.

Washington signed with Tennessee in August after receiving an injunction in his lawsuit against the NCAA. A Tennessee court of appeals shot that down later that month. Washington has since filed an appeal in the state of Tennessee and is waiting out an answer.

Tennessee opens the season on November 3rd against Wofford.

“Hoping for Jalen that it works because he deserves it,” Rick Barnes said on Tuesday. “When you look around the country and see that there’s what, 150-some players that are eligible to play and another 200-some that can’t based on where they have field their court cases. It doesn’t seem fair when everybody is under the same association with the NCAA. I just don’t understand. I mean, I understand it, but I don’t think it’s fair.”

Washington averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds for Vanderbilt last season. Standing in at 6-10, 244 pounds, Washington would bring some much-needed depth to the Tennessee frontcourt.

“It’s a concern. It is a concern,” Rick Barnes admitted, speaking to Tennessee’s depth. “I mean, it changes some things with us. But we’re trying to prepare both ways.”

Tennessee returns DeWayne Brown and added Miles Rubin, Christian Fermin and Braeden Lue from the transfer portal. Do-it-all Jalen Haralson could also provide some minutes at the 4-spot, if needed.

“He’s waiting to hear the Tennessee case, obviously, to see what that’s going to lead to,” Barnes said. “He’s from Indiana, and they cleared their players that play there. So maybe, I don’t know how it works, from a legal standpoint, could he refile there, which could be a possibility.”

Expect to start hearing quite a bit about these eligibility cases over the next few weeks as the season nears.