Vols Coach Rick Barnes Glad Josiah Jordan James is Back in the Saddle

Not sure Rick Barnes can do back-flips at his age, but he likely felt like doing one when Josiah Jordan James announced he was coming back for one more season at Tennessee. James tested the NBA draft waters before deciding to play another year on Rocky Top. Hopefully he can stay healthy this time. James averaged 10 points a game last season, starting just 14 contests.

Said Barnes:”I think Joe is disappointed last year that he didn’t have the kind of year he had because he didn’t get a chance to really prepare for it the way that he would have liked in terms of missing some of the summer then obviously getting hurt again at the beginning of the year. Him coming back and doing what he is doing I think speaks volumes about of his love and loyalty to this university, and he is already well him and Santi (Santiago Vescovi) have been great leaders for these guys coming in. But I don’t think anyone will ever understand the impact they have made and are making right now from a leadership standpoint.”