John Fulkerson Returns to Rocky Top
Forward John Fulkerson announces he will come back to play in his sixth season at Tennessee.
John Fulkerson goes for an open layup when Tennessee played Vanderbilt in Knoxville on Jan. 16, 2021. (Courtesy of @Vol_Hoops on Twitter).
John Fulkerson announced via social media on Friday that he will be returning to Tennessee for one more season. Fulkerson is taking advantage of his extra year granted by the NCAA as a result of the pandemic.
The Kingsport native and beloved player will be playing his sixth season for the Volunteers. This past season, Fulkerson averaged 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
His previous season did not have the end result that he wanted. In the SEC Tournament, he sustained an injury during a game against Florida. While going for a rebound, an opposing player elbowed him in the face which resulted in a concussion and facial fracture. The injury put him out for the remainder of the season, which hurt the team’s postseason run.
“My path still points to Rocky Top; this opportunity is too special to walk away from,” Fulkerson said in his announcement video.
After announcing his return, he was given the honor of throwing the first pitch in Tennessee’s baseball game against Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Fulkerson’s return compliments the recruiting efforts of coach Rick Barnes and his staff. The incoming class includes two five-star players, Kennedy Chandler and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, two four-star players, Jonas Aidoo and Jahmai Mashack, three-star Quentin Diboundje and transfer Justin Powell.
Edited by Ryan Sylvia and Ashley Depew
Featured image courtesy of Tennessee Basketball Twitter (@Vol_Hoops)
