Nearly two months into the NBA season, three VFLs have continued their consistent play as vital pieces to three playoff-caliber teams, while a trio of former Vols in the NBA G League have also made waves.

Tobias Harris | Philadelphia 76ers
Season Stats: 25 GP, 25 GS, 20.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, .520 FG%, .425 3FG%

In his 10th NBA season, Tobias Harris is on pace for a career-best scoring average (20.7 ppg) and is on the verge of potentially being voted into his first career NBA All-Star Game.

With Harris as the team’s minutes leader and second-leading scorer, the Philadelphia 76ers currently lead the Eastern Conference with an 18-10 overall record. Harris is also the 76ers’ second-leading assist maker (3.0 apg) and ranks fourth on the team in rebounding (7.4 rpg).

Josh Richardson | Dallas Mavericks
Season Stats: 19 GP, 19 GS, 12.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, .423 FG%, .296 3 FG%

Traded to the Dallas Mavericks from the Philadelphia 76ers back in November, Josh Richardson has settled into a role as a starter and consistent contributor for the Mavericks.

Despite missing nine games due to COVID-19 protocols, Richardson has started every game in which he has been available to play. In his sixth NBA season, Richardson averages the second-most minutes on the team at 31.6 behind only Luka Doncic, while his 12.5 points per game rank fourth on the team. The Mavericks are currently 13-15 overall and just two games outside of the NBA playoff picture.

Grant Williams | Boston Celtics
Season Stats: 23 GP, 6 GS, 5.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, .458 FG%, .313 3 FG%

After establishing himself as a consistent role player during his rookie season—during which the Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals—Grant Williams has continued to carve out a role as a solid contributor in his second season with the franchise.

Williams averages 19.1 minutes per game and has already started more games than he did all of last season. At 14-13 overall, the Celtics are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jordan Bone | Delaware Blue Coats
Season Stats: 4 GP, 0 GS, 10.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, .395 FG%, .381 3FG%

After starting the 2020-21 NBA season on a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic, Jordan Bone was placed on waivers by the Magic after playing 14 games in which he averaged 14.0 minutes. Now with the Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Coats, Bone is participating in the G League’s bubble in Orlando.

In the Blue Coats’ most recent game—a win over former Tennessee teammate Admiral Schofield and the Greensboro Swarm—Bone totaled 17 points and made five 3-pointers. The Blue Coats are currently one of only two remaining undefeated teams in the G League bubble.

Jordan Bowden | Long Island Nets
Season Stats: 4 GP, 0 GS, 4.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, .333 FG%, .308 3FG%

Signed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets back in November, rookie Jordan Bowden was then assigned to the franchise’s G League affiliate— the Long Island Nets—for the G League bubble in Orlando.

Bowden has played in four of the Nets’ games so far and recently made three 3-pointers in a game against the Erie Bayhawks.

Admiral Schofield | Greensboro Swarm
Season Stats: 4 GP, 4 GS, 12.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, .435 FG%, .273 3FG%

Selected No. 1 overall in January’s NBA G League Draft, Admiral Schofield has started every contest for the Greensboro Swarm four games into the 2021 G League bubble in Orlando, Fla.

Schofield had a double-double during the Swarm’s last game, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds.

-UT Athletics

DALLAS – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its preseason All-America teams on Wednesday afternoon. Tennessee sophomore outfielder/pitcher Drew Gilbert was named to the second team as a utility player.

UT has now had five players named to preseason All-America teams this season, marking the second straight year the Vols have had multiple players earn preseason All-America honors. Prior to last season, that had not happened since 2009. Gilbert joins Max Ferguson, Jake Rucker, Connor Pavolony and Jackson Leath as Tennessee players to earn preseason All-America accolades this season.

This marks the first preseason All-America recognition for Gilbert, who is one of the Vols’ most versatile players. The Stillwater, Minnesota, native played a key role as a freshman in 2020, starting 10 games in the outfield while also making four appearances as a relief pitcher.

Gilbert finished the shortened 2020 season ranked third on the team with a .350 batting average and had five multi-hit games, include a 4-for-5 performance in a win over George Washington on Feb. 29. In his first collegiate game, Gilbert went 2-for-2 at the plate with three RBI in a win over Western Carolina.

On the mound, Gilbert was a solid option out of the bullpen, allowing just one run over his first three appearances. In UT’s win over No. 25 Stanford in the Round Rock Classic, the left hander struck out three batters in 4.1 innings of relief to pick up his first-career victory.

To view the full NCBWA All-America teams, click HERE.

Tennessee opens its season this weekend with a trip down to Statesboro to take on Georgia Southern. The Vols and Eagles will begin a three-game series on Friday, Feb. 19. All three of those games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Vols Running Backs Coach Jerry Mack meets with media for the first time.

Tennessee Football WR coach Kodi Burns meets with media for the first time.

Tennessee men’s basketball assistant coach Kim English met with media Thursday to recap the South Carolina win as well as preview their upcoming matchup with Kentucky.