Despite her short tenure as the Lady Vols basketball coach, Kim Caldwell has already begun building her team for the upcoming campaign via the transfer site. Caldwell has added portal players to cover roster gaps while keeping her players at home.

Tess Darby and Jewel Spear, who combined for 18.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game the previous season, are both back. Alyssa Latham, a transfer forward from Syracuse who averaged 8.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman, has signed with Caldwell via the transfer portal.

Lazaria Spearman, a forward transfer from Miami, joins Latham after leading Miami in rebounding last season with 6.0 rebounds and 6.3 points per game. In addition, she made 50% of her field goals, and as a junior, she will immediately become a playmaker for the Lady Vols.

Caldwell signed Arkansas native Samara Spencer as a guard to her transfer portal class. Spencer averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while he was a junior. On Twitter/X, Spencer announced her commitment, stating that it’s “never personal just business.”

As Caldwell gets ready for a challenging debut season as head coach at Rocky Top, this is the third addition for the Lady Vols to come off the gate. Spencer’s arrival could provide Tennessee’s basketball team with an abundance of shooters for the next campaign.

Caldwell intends to introduce his quick-witted and entertaining style of basketball to Knoxville. If the players click on the court, Caldwell’s fast-paced, explosive style of basketball might set up the Lady Vols for a great 2024–25 season.