Breaking News: Five-Star guard Shocks texas longhorns With Decommit and Flips Commitment To Tennessee Over Kentucky wildcats and Georgia….
In a stunning twist on the college basketball recruiting trail, a five-star guard has shaken up the national landscape by decommitting from the Texas Longhorns and announcing his decision to commit to the Tennessee Volunteers. The highly coveted prospect, long projected to join Texas, surprised fans and analysts alike by choosing Tennessee over blue-blood contenders Kentucky and Georgia.
The announcement came via a live-streamed press conference on Friday evening, where the guard revealed his new commitment while surrounded by family and coaches. Sporting an orange Tennessee cap, he declared: *“Tennessee just felt like home. The coaching staff believes in me, the fans are incredible, and I want to be part of something special in Knoxville.”*
### A Shockwave Through Texas
The news immediately sent shockwaves through Austin. Texas, which had counted on the guard as a centerpiece of its 2025 recruiting class, now faces the challenge of reshuffling its recruiting priorities. The Longhorns’ coaching staff had invested months of effort into securing the player, with head coach Rodney Terry personally making multiple visits to his high school.
Recruiting insiders had marked Texas as the frontrunner until just days before the decision. However, sources close to the player indicated that concerns about immediate playing time and Tennessee’s strong player development reputation ultimately swayed his choice.
“This is a massive loss for Texas,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi. “They not only lose a five-star talent, but they also lose momentum in a class they hoped would elevate them into perennial Final Four contention. Meanwhile, Tennessee just gained a game-changer.”
### Tennessee’s Recruiting Coup
For Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes, the flip marks another landmark victory on the recruiting trail. Known for building disciplined, defense-first teams, Barnes has recently proven his ability to land elite offensive talent as well. This commitment signals Tennessee’s growing power as a national recruiting destination.
The Volunteers now boast one of the strongest 2025 classes in the SEC, pairing this five-star guard with a top-50 forward and a sharpshooting wing. With Barnes at the helm, Tennessee’s program has evolved from a solid SEC contender into a legitimate national force.
“This commitment proves that Tennessee is no longer the underdog in recruiting battles,” said 247Sports recruiting director Eric Bossi. “They went head-to-head with Kentucky, Georgia, and Texas—and they came out on top.”
### Kentucky and Georgia Left Watching
The decision also stings for Kentucky and Georgia, both of whom made late pushes. Kentucky, led by first-year head coach Mark Pope, had pitched its traditional path to the NBA as its biggest draw. Georgia, meanwhile, emphasized proximity to home and a chance to be the cornerstone of a rebuilding program under Mike White.
Ultimately, neither could match Tennessee’s balance of winning culture, passionate fan base, and proven track record of developing NBA-ready talent.
### What It Means for the SEC
This recruitment battle highlights the growing competitiveness within the SEC. Once dominated by Kentucky, the conference has seen Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas rise as recruiting heavyweights. Tennessee’s latest win only adds fuel to the SEC’s reputation as the most competitive basketball league outside of the blue-blood triangle of Kansas, Duke, and North Carolina.
Volunteers fans erupted on social media immediately after the announcement, flooding timelines with orange hearts and celebratory messages. Neyland Stadium even lit up in orange Friday night as part of the university’s recognition of the player’s decision.
“This is bigger than just basketball,” said longtime fan Marcus Whitfield. “It’s a statement that Tennessee is here to stay.”
### Looking Ahead
For the five-star guard, the decision marks the start of a new chapter. With his senior high school season still ahead, he is already being touted as a potential McDonald’s All-American and a future NBA lottery pick. His commitment all but guarantees Tennessee one of its most anticipated recruiting classes in program history.
For Texas, Kentucky, and Georgia, it’s back to the drawing board. For Tennessee, it’s a moment of triumph—one that cements the Vols’ place among college basketball’s elite.
As recruiting insiders summed it up: *“Tennessee didn’t just land a player. They made a statement heard across the college basketball world.”*