It’s Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country Wristband time!
107.7WIVK is celebrating summer and we are giving you the gifts!
We’re traveling all over East Tennessee giving away Dollywood Wristbands for free admission to Dollywood on WIVK Day/Labor Day and Dollywood Splash Country on August 31st or Labor Day, presented by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital!
Listen to WIVK starting in July for giveaway locations!
One per person, while supplies last.
Dollywood Splash Country wristband distribution rules and guidelines
The Dollywood wristbands are very popular! Each wristband is good for one free admission to Dollywood Splash Country on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 or Monday, September 1st, 2025.
On the date of the wristband distribution, you may arrive at the announced location and get in the wristband cue line. Wristbands will be handed out until the amount of wristbands designated for that distribution date have been given out to WIVK listeners.
The WIVK promotions staff will give out one wristband per person to listeners age 4 & up. (age 3 and under are admitted free to Dollywood). You must be present to receive a wristband.
Dollywood wristband distribution rules and guidelines
The Dollywood wristbands are very popular! Each wristband is good for one free admission to Dollywood Theme Park Splash Country on Monday, September 1st, 2025.
On the date of the wristband distribution, you may arrive at the announced location and get in the wristband cue line. Wristbands will be handed out until the amount of wristbands designated for that distribution date have been given out to WIVK listeners.
The WIVK promotions staff will give out one wristband per person to listeners age 4 & up. (age 3 and under are admitted free to Dollywood). You must be present to receive a wristband.
Dylan Scott is the headliner for the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival with Special Guests Alana Springsteen and Bryson Quick on July 4th at Patriot Park! Remember you can listen to the fireworks soundtrack on 107.7 WIVK at approximately 9:45pm!
All activities are free and open to the public, and are sure to be enjoyed by the entire family! You will find plenty of family friendly activities and games throughout the afternoon and evening and of course that amazing 4th of July fireworks show to conclude the Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival 2025.
What To Bring:
Bring a seat and stay a while. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Delicious food vendors with burgers, franks, and more will also be in attendance.
What To Leave At Home:
Umbrellas and coolers are not permitted, so please leave those behind.
Enter to win a family 4-pack of VIP tickets to Patriot Festival in Pigeon Forge!
Enter here for a chance to win a family 4-pack of VIP tickets to Patriot Festival in Pigeon Forge on 4th of July!
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.
In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).
Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).
Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.
During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).
Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).
In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.
“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.
“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”
The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.
For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.
The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.
Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of any radio station owned and/or operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (“Sponsor”) during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Legal Department.
Sponsor will conduct all Cumulus radio station contests and sweepstakes (“Contests” and “Sweepstakes”), including on-air contests, online and text-based sweepstakes, and contests and sweepstakes conducted through a Cumulus radio station’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:
No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local regulations apply. Eligibility. This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days. Void where prohibited by law. Individuals age 13 to 17 may be eligible to participate in Contests and Sweepstakes with the approval of a parent or legal guardian, provided that the parent or legal guardian is a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and resides in the Cumulus radio station’s listening area. Unless otherwise specified, Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren. The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
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Sweepstakes Results. A winners list may be obtained thirty (30) days after the conclusion of a Contest or Sweepstakes by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Sweepstakes Sponsor identified below.
SWEEPSTAKES SPONSOR: CUMULUS MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC., 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Contests and Sweepstakes.
KNOXVILLE, TN. (story courtesy of WVLT) – Deputy Dalton Swanger with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is awake and off the ventilator, according to an update from KCSO.
“He can speak and is doing well,” a KCSO spokesperson said in a Facebook post on Saturday. “He faces a long road to recovery.”
Swanger was critically injured during a call on Stanley Road on June 22. The sheriff’s office said a suspect, later identified as 44-year-old Christpher Michael Hensley, hit him with a rock, hospitalizing him at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
“We are truly grateful for every prayer spoken on his behalf, the generous donations that will allow him to concentrate on healing, and the overwhelming love and well wishes from across the nation,” said a KCSO spokesperson in the update posted to Facebook. “Your support makes a difference in Deputy Swanger’s journey, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Swanger is in the hospital’s ICU unit. An update from Monday said he was able to move all of his limbs.
Hensley is facing several charges connected to Swanger’s injuries, including attempted second-degree murder.
Anderson Co. TN – TVA statement – Saturday morning Tennessee Valley Authority safely completed the planned implosion of retired stacks at the Bull Run Fossil Plant. This marks a major milestone in the site’s ongoing decommissioning process.
The Bull Run Plant served our region for decades and its legacy lives on, not as an ending but a transition toward future energy innovation and new opportunities for our community.
TVA is already working on next generation technologies at the site, including the installation of a synchronous condenser and transmission upgrades to support grid reliability. They’re also partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, local power companies and our own regional leaders to explore advanced energy solutions like fusion, right here in our backyard.
WVLT story: The Tennessee Valley Authority imploded the stacks at the Bull Run Fossil Plant early Saturday morning.
Crowds gathered at the river walk along Melton Lake Road and Edgemoor Road as early as 5:30 a.m.
Just a little after 6 a.m. the short stack was taken down, shortly followed by the taller stack.
TVA officials said once the debris of the implosions is cleaned, they’ll begin work for a fusion technology site.
TVA officials said synchronized condensers will be installed to help regulate energy in the area to keep energy use reliable.
Pigeon Forge, TN (WOKI) The city of Pigeon Forge has a new city manager.
City commissioners announcing Friday that Mayor David Wear has been selected for the role, filling the vacancy left by the retirement, after more than four decades, of Earlene Teaster.
Aside from public service, Wear is also currently the vice president of operations at the major entertainment district The Island, a job he’s held since 2014.
Speaking with WVLT News, Wear said he would resign as mayor and from his position at the Island if chosen as the new city manager.
Wear says some of his early priorities as city manager will be improving Pigeon Forge’s quality of life and tackling high housing costs.
Clinton, TN (WOKI) Police in Clinton and the Department of Children’s Services are investigating after a child is injured at a daycare facility.
While information is limited, officials with the Clinton Police Department confirming Friday that “officers are currently conducting a parallel investigation with DCS” of an incident at the Kiddie Korner Daycare at 98 Mariner Point Drive which injured a child.
WVLT News reporting that Kiddie Korner CEO Melissa Duff said the incident involved a child being laid down for a nap, and the two staff members working in that class were immediately let go. Duff also said the daycare is cooperating with all investigations.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) I-40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina line has reopened just over a week since four mudslides closed a portion of the interstate.
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation say one lane in each direction on the interstate has reopened. They are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution as workers are still present due to ongoing repairs in the area as a result of Hurricane Helene last fall.
The interstate’s closure had caused ripple effects across the state, especially in places like Cocke County, where rafting businesses were trying to get guests into the Little Pigeon River while working around the closure.
Pigeon Forge, TN (story courtesy of WVLT) Breaking Update: David Wear will be offered the position of Pigeon Forge city manager, city commissioners announced Friday.
Previous Story:
The search for Pigeon Forge’s new city manager is well underway, with candidate interviews planned for the end of this month.
WVLT News has obtained background information on all the candidates who hope to take over the position, as well as a breakdown of the responsibilities of the position itself.
That said, the latest update from the city said commissioners had narrowed the pool down to three finalists: Eric Brackins, David Wear and Jason Baiamonte.
What does Pigeon Forge’s city manager do? Pigeon Forge’s current city manager is Earlene Teaster. She was the state’s first woman to hold a city manager position, something she did for 44 years.
As for her responsibilities, Pigeon Forge’s city manager acts as the chief executive officer. The city manger oversees the 17 departments that make up the city’s government and recommends the city’s operating and long-term budgets.
Taking a look at the city’s website, The city manager also works closely with Pigeon Forge’s five commissioners and acts as a liaison with the state government. Beyond that, Teaster has also represented Pigeon Forge on several Sevier County boards, like the Sevier water, transportation and solid waste boards.
Who is in the running for the city manager job? Several people who already hold positions within the city government are hopeful for the job. The list includes Assistant Finance Director Jason Baiamonte, Assistant City Manager Eric Brackins, Assistant City Planner Loreto Ferrada, IT Director Rob Ogle and Mayor David Wear.
The city commission will begin interviewing three candidates for the position Wednesday. This decision on which candidates comes from MTAS on who would be best for the position. The three people are assistant city manager Eric Brackins, Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear and assistant finance director Jason Baiamonte.
WVLT News obtained each of the candidates’ application packets, which included resumes and cover letters. Here’s the breakdown:
Assistant Finance Director Jason Baiamonte Baiamonte has been a city employee since 1997 when he worked as a patrol officer for the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He held that job for 13 years before moving into the city’s finance department in 2010, which is where most of his administrative experience comes from.
The assistant finance director’s resume, Baiamonte’s responsibilities have included overseeing more than 20 cash accounts for the city, tracking city projects, helping with audit reports and capital assets and budgeting city expenses. He’s also the supervisor of seven other employees.
Baiamonte doesn’t only work for the city, however.
His resume includes a building contractor position, which he has held since 2003. There’s no business associated with it on his resume, however Baiamonte said he manages residential construction sites and supervises subcontractors as part of his position.
Baiamonte also said he had four college degrees, most of which are in business and management-related fields.
He is also one of three finalists.
Assistant City Manager Eric Brackins Eric Brackins works as the assistant city manager, a position he’s held since 2009. His resume outlined many of his current responsibilities, which mostly include helping Teaster as her right-hand man.
Specifically, Brackins said he oversees 360 employees with Teaster across several of the city’s departments, including administration, tourism and public works. Among his responsibilities, Brackins listed reviewing and interpreting city ordinances, playing his own part in compiling the city’s yearly budget, developing city projects and advising the commission on policy changes.
He also listed a few specific city projects he played a part in getting off the ground. Those include a $45 million wastewater treatment plant, appealing to the state for tourism project funding and a $48 million police and fire station, which is still in the works.
Brackins doesn’t claim to currently hold any non-city jobs. The closest thing to an outside position he holds is acting as a member of the Tennessee City Managers Association, a membership he’s had since 2007.
Prior to his time with Pigeon Forge, he acted as the City of Norris’ city manager and held a few city jobs in Louisville, KY. He also holds a masters in public administration and a bachelors in political science.
Brackins is a finalist.
Assistant City Planner Loreto Ferrada Lo Ferrada gave the city her resume when she applied for the city manager job. It outlines her current job, as well as two other positions she’s held: a credit analyst at Elavon and a planner for the Lower Chattahoochee Regional Development Center.
Ferrada has been Pigeon Forge’s assistant city planner since October of 2022. As the assistant city planner, Ferrada said to have developed land use regulations and overseen zoning applications, then recommending moves to the city’s commission.
Her resume lists a bachelors degree in urban studies and a masters in planning.
She also does not currently hold any positions outside of the city.
IT Director Rob Ogle Rob Ogle currently holds the IT director position— the only job he currently holds, according to his resume. He’s held the job since 2008.
As the IT director, Ogle said he’s had experience overseeing technology growth across the city. He’s also got experience working with emergency management.
Ogle also lists a bachelors in computer engineering technology.
Mayor David Wear David Wear has been with the city as a commissioner and mayor since 2009, but that’s not the first position listed on his resume.
Wear, who describes himself as a “results-oriented leader with over a decade of management experience,” is the vice president of operations at the major entertainment district The Island. It’s a job he’s held since 2014.
As the vice president, Wear said he’s got experience creating the budget and operation plans for the multi-million dollar entertainment venture. He also said he oversees more than 350 staff members and works with more than 80 tenants.
He also said to be the overseer of The Island’s marketing and advertising projects.
As for his role as mayor, Wear said he has experience working with city administration to finalize policy decisions. He also said he’s played a “pivotal” role in major city projects, including the previously mentioned wastewater treatment facility.
Much like his fellow applicants, Wear said he’s worked on city budgets.
As for applicable skills, Wear said he has “extensive’ knowledge of municipal laws and local ordinances and codes.
Wear, a finalist, also holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice administration.
He spoke with WVLT News Tuesday, saying if he gets picked for the position, he would step down from his job at The Island.
We asked the city attorney, Nathan Rowell, Tuesday how the vote will go since Wear also serves on city commission. He said he will not have a vote and it’ll be up to the other 4 city commissioners to decide the next city manager.
What’s the salary difference among all the positions? WVLT News also obtained information about not just the city manager position, but the roles currently held by all the applicants. The current salaries breakdown like this:
City Manager: $223,929.19 Assistant City Manager: $181,488.33 Assistant Finance Director: $101,914.68 Assistant City Planner: $67,079.31 IT Director: $113,106.15 Mayor: $5,400
Who will pick the final candidate? City officials have said Peter Auger with the Knoxville-based Municipal Technical Advisory Service is consulting with the city to advise the process and evaluate candidates.
A representative for the city said candidate interviews are planned for the end of the month, a slight delay from the end-of-May deadline originally proposed.
The latest information from the city said the three finalists would face questions from the city commission at 1:30 p.m. on June 25. The final announcement is expected Friday.
Two corrections officers are out of a job after being accused of bringing drugs into the Monroe County Jail for inmates.
This week, Joshua Duncan was arrested and charged, accused of smuggling drugs into the jail for inmates.
According to Sheriff Tommy Jones, Duncan used a Bible to conceal drugs and several inmates were also charged for their role in the distribution of the drugs.
The Sheriff says it’s heartbreaking and disappointing and that moving forward, employees will be asked to go through the body scanner they use for inmates to detect drugs or other contraband.
“That is something we had done in the past, we had stopped doing, but it is going to start back where the employees themselves go through the X-ray machine and are being scanned,” said Jones.
In May, Cody Harrill was fired after a TBI investigation alleged she brought contraband into the jail.
Jones says hiring quality employees has been a constant struggle because ither departments in East Tennessee can pay more, and many know that the job of a corrections officer can be a challenging one.
If you’re interested in working for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, they’re looking to hire several open positions. If you’re interested in applying, please go to https://monroetnsheriff.com/employment/.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Jahmai Mashack of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team went No. 59 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, picked in the second round Thursday night by the Houston Rockets, with his rights set to be dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in a proposed trade.
The final pick of the draft, on the second day of the event, Mashack was the 13th player selected from an SEC institution.
The 57th player ever drafted out of Tennessee, Mashack is the thirdselected by Memphis. He joins Fred Jenkins (No. 129 in 1987) and Michael Brooks (No. 88 in 1985) on the latter list.
Mashack is the 46th future NBA player to compete for Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes in his 38-year tenure leading a program, including the 35th draftee. Adding in his eight seasons as an assistant, Barnes has now coached 53 NBA players, 41 of whom were drafted.
A total of 12 Tennessee players have now reached the NBA in Barnes’ tenure, including 10 draft picks. All of them have come in the last seven years (2019-25).
Mashack is the second Volunteer drafted in 2025, as fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier went No. 37 overall to the Detroit Pistons. This is the 13th time multiple Tennessee players have been selected in the same NBA Draft, including the seventh—alongside 1977, 1989, 2002, 2014, 2019 and 2021—with two in the top 60. Three of those seven years are during the Barnes era.
Tennessee is one of seven schools with multiple draftees this year. The others are Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Kentucky and Rutgers.
This is the fifth consecutive year a Tennessee player has been selected in the NBA Draft. The Volunteers are one of just five teams with at least a five-year streak, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke and Kentucky.
Prior to this stretch, Tennessee’s longest NBA Draft streak in the two-round era (since 1989) was two years, as it had two selections in 2014 and one in 2015. Prior to that, the Volunteers had a nine-year streak from 1963-71 and a seven-year count from 1979-85.
In addition, this is the sixth time in the last seven years at least one Tennessee player has been picked. The Volunteers are among only four teams to have a player chosen in at least six of the last seven NBA Drafts, joining Arkansas, Duke and Kentucky.
Tennessee, Duke and Kentucky are the only schools with double-digit draft choices over the last seven years. The Volunteers are the only team to achieve that feat with the same coach the entire time.
A four-year contributor at Tennessee during the best stretch in the history of the program, Mashack helped the team to a 109-36 (.752) record, four NCAA Tournament appears, three Sweet 16 trips, two Elite Eight appearances, one SEC regular season title and one SEC Tournament crown.
Mashack and classmate Zakai Zeigler are tied for the most wins by a four-year player in program history. Across those four campaigns, 2021-25, Tennessee was ranked in the Associated Press Poll the entire team, placing top-20 in 75 of 80 weeks, with 50 top-10 nods, 24 top-five positionings and five spots at No. 1 overall.
As a senior in 2024-25, Mashack started all 38 games for the Volunteers, co-setting a program single-season record. He averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting 45.4 percent overall and 35.1 percent from 3-point range.
One of four finalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Mashack finished with the second-best defensive box plus-minus (7.0) in the country. The 6-foot-4, 202-pound guard amassed a 6.28 mark in his career, seventh-best in Division I (min. 50 GP) in the last 15 seasons (2010-25).
A native of Fontana, Calif., Mashack won Field of 68 Defensive Player of the Year during his final collegiate campaign. He also made the SEC All-Defensive Team.
Mashack was a two-time SEC Community Service Team selection and a University of Tennessee Torchbearer. He was one of 14 Division I player—just six came from a Power Five league—to finish the year with at least 60 steals and 20 blocks. He was just the 14th SEC player—15th occurrence—in the last 20 seasons (2005-25) to reach those marks in a single campaign.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Chaz Lanier of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team went No. 37 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, selected in the second round Thursday night by the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The seventh pick of the second round, on the second day of the draft, Lanier was the seventh player picked from an SEC school.
The 56th player ever drafted out of Tennessee, Lanier is the second Volunteer chosen by Detroit. He follows the program’s all-time leading scorer, Allan Houston, who went No. 11 in 1993.
Lanier is the 45th future NBA player whom Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has coached in his 38-year tenure at the helm of a program, including the 34th draftee. Counting his eight years as an assistant, Barnes has now coached 52 NBA players, including 40 draftees.
Barnes has now produced 11 NBA players during his Tennessee tenure, nine of whom were drafted, all in the last seven years (2019-25).
This is the fifth consecutive year a Tennessee player has been selected in the NBA Draft. The Volunteers, with the draft not yet complete, are one of just five teams with at least a five-year streak, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke and Kentucky. One other, Gonzaga, can still join that group with 18 picks left.
Prior to this stretch, Tennessee’s longest NBA Draft streak in the two-round era (since 1989) was two years, as it had two selections in 2014 and one in 2015. Prior to that, the Volunteers had a nine-year streak from 1963-71 and a seven-year count from 1979-85.
In addition, this is the sixth time in the last seven years at least one Tennessee player has been picked. The Volunteers, with much of the second round remaining, are among only four teams to have a player chosen in at least six of the last seven NBA Drafts, joining Arkansas, Duke and Kentucky. Both Gonzaga and USC could still join that list with 18 picks to go.
Lanier is coming off a 2024-25 campaign, his lone one at Tennessee, in which he won the Jerry West Award as the nation’s premier shooting guard after averaging 18.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 39.5 percent from long range and set a Tennessee single-season record with 123 made 3-pointers, tied for fourth-most in Division I and good for sixth-best in SEC history.
One of just 10 Wooden Award All-Americans, Lanier was selected as an NABC Third Team All-America and a The Sporting News Third Team All-American. He scored in double figures 36 times, the only player in the country to do so. He had 17-plus points in 25 of his 38 outings as a Volunteer, with 20-plus in 15 and 25-plus in six.
The 6-foot-5, 207-pounder was tabbed a First Team All-SEC pick by the AP and was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches. Lanier 684 points ranked No. 15 in Division I and ninth on Tennessee’s single-season leaderboard.
Before coming to Tennessee as a fifth-year transfer, Lanier spent four years at North Florida. The Nashville, Tenn., native averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game as a senior in 2023-24, shooting 44.0 percent from 3-point range to rank fifth nationally. He earned First Team All-Atlantic Sun and NABC First Team All-District 3 accolades in his final year with the Ospreys.
Overall, Lanier totaled 1,613 points over 142 games in his five-year career, good for an average of 11.4 per contest. He shot 276-of-867 from 3-point range to finish with a 40.2 percent clip from beyond the arc.
Lanier is the second straight fifth-year guard transfer to join the Volunteers, win a Naismith “Starting Five” award, collect All-America honors and hear his name called in the NBA Draft, following Dalton Knecht in 2023-24.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
