Tennessee is eager to reach the Elite Eight round for the first time and advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history, following three consecutive visits to the brink of college basketball’s premier event.
Rick Barnes has led the Volunteers to the Elite Eight in each of the last three seasons, with this year’s defeat to eventual national champion Michigan marking the team’s second consecutive Elite Eight loss in the Midwest Region final in Chicago. In that spirit, there was a Chicago link to the great news that Tennessee supporters received on Saturday afternoon, as California transfer guard and Chicago native Dai Dai Ames committed to the Volunteers for next season.
Ames’ agent informed On3 of the 6-foot-2 junior’s plans for the 2026-27 season. Ames, who has traveled extensively, averaged 16. 9 points per game for the Bears last season, helping him secure a position on the All-ACC Third Team. In his one season at Cal, he made the most of it, averaging 2. 0 rebounds and 2. 2 assists while shooting 46. 4% from the floor.
This is a breath of fresh air for Barnes’ program, which has sustained several defections via the portal since it officially opened on April 7. However, the Vols may classify this one as an addition because they are adding a talent for next season in Knoxville rather than subtracting one. In this case, Tennessee is gaining one of the most productive guards who was still accessible in the portal.
After the previous two seasons in the ACC, Ames will be giving the SEC a try for the first time. Before joining Cal last season, Ames played at Virginia from 2024 to 2025, and he began his whirlwind college career with a season at Kansas State in 2023-24.
That whirlwind has carried Ames to Tennessee, which will gladly add his scoring talent to its backcourt for next season.
Barnes will be attempting for the Final Four with Tennessee once again, and Ames will be there to assist. Here is what the Kalshi market is saying about the top teams it thinks have the best chance of winning it all next April:
