Tennessee
Jaylen Carey commits to Tennessee basketball as Vanderbilt transfer forward
Jaylen Carey committed to Tennessee basketball on Sunday, giving the Vols a two-transfer start to the portal season.
The Vanderbilt transfer averaged 8.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 33 games, including one start. He averaged 9.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in SEC play. He announced his commitment on social media.
Carey’s role fluctuated throughout the season with the Commodores, but he had his best games against Tennessee. Carey had a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double on Jan. 18. He scored 18 points at UT on Feb. 15 to match his season high.
Carey joins Ja’Kobi Gillespie as incoming Tennessee transfers. Gillespie averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 assists at Maryland last season while shooting 40.7% on 3-pointers, making 87. The Greenville, Tennessee, native committed to Tennessee Friday as the first portal addition of the offseason for coach Rick Barnes.
The 6-foot-8, 265-pound Carey began his career at James Madison University under coach Mark Byington, whom he followed to Vanderbilt. Carey played in all 36 games off the bench as a freshman, averaging 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.9 minutes. He shot 66.9% from the field and 30% from 3-point range.
Carey has two years of eligibility remaining.
Tennessee has used the transfer portal as well as any team in college basketball the past two offseasons. Dalton Knecht and Chaz Lanier are among the biggest portal success stories in college basketball. Jordan Gainey, Igor Milicic Jr. and Okpara have been key players for Tennessee as well out of the portal.
The Vols have four returning scholarship players in guard Bishop Boswell and forwards J.P. Estrella, Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips. They have three incoming freshmen in four-star forward DeWayne Brown II, four-star guard Amari Evans and three-star guard Troy Henderson.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
Tennessee
Rescue teams pull kayakers and dog from Red River in Tennessee
Sissy arrived at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in 2000, where caretakers began monitoring and managing her osteoarthritis. Sanctuary leaders said a recent progression of the disease caused what they described as “clear signs” of pain and swelling in her right wrist.
Tennessee
Tennessee Highway Patrol holds open house at Jackson district office
JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – The Tennessee Highway Patrol held an open house Thursday at the THP Jackson District Office in West Madison County for those interested in becoming a state trooper.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the various operations of the THP and the roles the department offers.
Trooper Tiffanie Williams said the career comes with competitive benefits and a sense of community responsibility.
“What makes us a good career choice is, one, base your retirement plan is pretty good, your benefits are pretty good. Also, just giving back to the community — we kind of hold ourselves to a higher standard,” Williams said.
For more information about the Tennessee Highway Patrol and how to get involved, click here.
Copyright 2026 WBBJ. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Tennessee State men’s hockey cancels 2026-27 inaugural season for second straight year
Tennessee State men’s hockey has once again canceled its inaugural season.
The first ever ice hockey team at an historically Black, public university was expected to begin play in 2025-26, but the season was canceled due to a fundraising shortfall. Now, the team has canceled its 2026-27 season according to a source with knowledge of the situation who wished to remain anonymous because the news is not public.
The Tennessean reached out to Tennessee State president Dwayne Tucker, who decline to comment on the situation.
The Tennessee State’s men’s hockey website does not have a schedule, roster, or any team events listed on its website. The site’s most recent update was July 10 of last year, an announcement about the 2025-26 season cancellation. Requests for additional information about the hockey team have gone unanswered.
This delay in the start of the men’s hockey team comes three years after the team’s inception was announced at Bridgestone Arena ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft. The Nashville Predators and NHL were instrumental in bringing a team to Tennessee State, and a representative with the Predators confirmed that support is ongoing.
While the 2025-26 cancellation followed unrest about the school’s financial situation, it’s unclear if this year’s cancellation is for the same reason or if its related to the school’s recent turmoil in the athletic department.
In May, six coaches gave a vote of no confidence for Tennessee State’s athletic director Mikki Allen. A letter to Dwayne Tucker on May 29 expressed concern about the “current direction, leadership, communication, and operational management of the athletic department” under Allen.
Men’s hockey coach Duante Abercrombie was not among the six coaches mentioned in the letter.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
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