BIRMINGHAM, AL – Rick Barnes didn't provide an update on Jalen Washington's eligibility, but the Tennessee basketball coach said the transfer has handled all the uncertainty going into the season like "an absolute pro."
The 6-foot-10 Washington is suing the NCAA in federal court to play one more season of college basketball, but the former Vanderbilt player is ineligible for now.
"He wants to play. He has been great in terms of, every day he comes to work, every single day," Barnes said Oct. 13 at SEC Basketball Tipoff '27 at the Hotel Wildemont. "He's obviously preparing, and we are preparing if he does get to play. We're preparing if he doesn't get to play. The fact is, he's handled it in a great way."
Barnes said Washington's presence has already made his teammates better because of his attitude and approach to practice every day, whether it's sophomore DeWayne Brown, senior Miles Rubin or fifth-year Christian Fermin.
"He and DeWayne Brown, for whatever reason, and it's not something that we did as coaches, but when we break down individually, post, perimeter – those two guys went at each other, and they go at each other every day," Barnes said. "I keep asking the other guys, why won't you guys do what these guys are doing? I mean, they are going at it."
Washington adds a physical presence to Tennessee's frontcourt, and Barnes' called him a difference-maker.
If the Vols are without Washington, Barnes said they'll need more from Rubin, junior Braedan Lue and even freshman Chris Washington. Barnes isn't opposed to playing small either, and mentioned swinging 6-7 guard Jalen Harralson over. They even played with five guards the other day, Barnes said.
"There's a lot of different ways we can go with it, but we really would like to have Jalen," Barnes added.
Barnes reiterated his belief that "if one guy is eligible, they should all be eligible," referencing the different results of several lawsuits for eligibility. He said he hates that all of it will hover over the basketball season, because it looks like it will "all year long."
"When the rule broke what it is today, which I don't like it, I don't, but it is what it is," Barnes said of the new age-based eligibility rule. "I don't think the NCAA should have did what they did by announcing it when they did. If they would have waited, we wouldn't be in this situation."
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Rick Barnes gives Jalen Washington update, handling eligibility fight like a 'pro'