Tennessee's Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer Likely Headed For NBA Draft

Tennessee's basketball season is over, and for Volunteers guards Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer, a career in the NBA may begin.

Both freshmen are expected to enter the NBA Draft and both could be first-round picks. Johnson is even listed as a lottery pick by most mock drafts.

“I would expect that they’ll do what everybody does now," Volunteers coach Rick Barnes told reporters. "They’ll go through the process. That’s what they need to do. And they’ll go from there."

Tennessee dropped a 70-56 decision to Oregon State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Along with Johnson and Springer, center Yves Pons is also a possible draftee after completing his Tennessee career. Forwards John Fulkerson and E.J. Anosike are the other seniors.

Pons, Fulkerson and Anosike could possibly return to the Volunteers, as the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it seems Johnson and Springer are as good as gone -- becoming the first one-and-done Tennessee players since current Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris in 2011.

"Obviously, in the meantime we’ll plan on doing what we have to do for our roster next year," Barnes said.

Johnson and Springer are each listed at 6-foot-5. Springer led Tennessee in scoring at 12.5 points, shooting nearly 44 percent on 3-pointers. Johnson averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

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