And now for some good news on the Tennessee basketball front — Troy Henderson will be back in Knoxville next season after initially deciding to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday. The freshman guard took to Instagram to announce his decision.
“After spending additional time speaking with my family, thinking further about my future and having a great conversation with coach Barnes and the staff, I’ve realized there’s no place I’d rather be than right here on Rocky Top,” Henderson wrote on Instagram.
“Vol Nation, I’m coming back. I can’t wait to take the floor again in front of the best fans in the country. I’m so excited for all the big things still to come here at Tennessee.”
Since Henderson’s initial decision, Tennessee lost Amari Evans to the transfer portal as well. Perhaps that played into Henderson’s decision to stay with the program. Whatever the reason, Rick Barnes will take it. Henderson is set to provide Tennessee with immediate rotational depth next season, flashing a real ability to shoot in limited opportunities last season.
Troy Henderson’s 2025-26 season
Henderson was a late find for Rick Barnes in last year’s cycle. Tennessee gave him his first and only big-time offer, and Henderson jumped on it. The 6-1 point guard was a 3-star prospect in the class, ranking as the 27th point guard, according to 247Sports.
The Richmond, Virginia native ended the year averaging 1.8 points and one assist per game. There was a time where Henderson appeared to crack the rotation, but a shoulder injury brought that progress to a halt. His best game of the season came against Texas A&M, where he played 22 minutes and scored eight points. Without his two clutch three-pointers, Tennessee doesn’t win that game.
Henderson suffered a shoulder injury during the next game against Kentucky that lingered for the remainder of the season.
Tennessee now has four players on the roster, plus three incoming commitments.
