Good news for Kellie Harper’s Tennessee program came in bunches late in another season hampered by bad health luck.
Tamari Key, the 6-foot-6 senior center whose season ended in December when blood clots were discovered in her lungs, recently announced she will return for another season of eligibility. The program’s all-time leading shot blocker will swat many more away, and she’ll be joined on the floor next season by top scorer Rickea Jackson, who announced her intention to return even though she’s projected as a high pick in April’s WNBA Draft.
Jordan Horston, also a projected high pick, has not announced her plans yet. A Key-Jackson-Horston nucleus, this season’s intended nucleus, comes with Final Four aspirations. Even if it’s just two of the three next season, that’s two huge pieces to lead a team with young talent developing and arriving. In the meantime, there’s an NCAA Tournament to play. The Lady Vols made their own good news with the win of the season – 69-67 comeback victory over LSU in the SEC tournament semifinals – to earn a No. 4 NCAA seed and hosting honors this weekend.
GO DEEPER
Alone at the summit: Without her two guiding forces, Kellie Harper leads Lady Vols back where they belong
UT will look for its second straight Sweet 16 under Harper,…
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