WELCOME TO TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS BASKETBALL: Nation’s No. 1 Player 7-Foot-9 Tall Shocks College Basketball World as He Flips Commitment to Tennessee Vols Over NBA Power Houses Like Duke see more……….Knoxville, TN – June 10, 2025 – In what is already being called the most shocking recruiting flip in recent NCAA basketball history, the nation’s No. 1 high school player and towering 7-foot-9 phenom, Elijah “E.J.” Jackson, has announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee, sending shockwaves through the college basketball world.
The generational talent, who was widely expected to sign with perennial basketball giants like Duke, Kentucky, or even pursue a direct path to the NBA via the G League or overseas, stunned the sports world Tuesday morning with a bold declaration: “I’m bringing it home to Rocky Top.”
Jackson made the announcement on a nationally televised segment, donning a bright orange Tennessee cap while flanked by his family and high school coach. “I’ve had offers from everywhere, but I want to be part of something bigger than myself,” Jackson said. “Tennessee believes in me, and I believe in what Coach Barnes is building.”
A Monumental Win for Tennessee
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes, known for his player development and disciplined coaching style, has now pulled off what many are calling the biggest recruiting coup in program history. Jackson’s commitment gives the Volunteers their first No. 1 overall recruit and elevates their 2025 recruiting class to No. 2 nationally, behind only Kansas.
“Elijah is a once-in-a-lifetime player,” Coach Barnes said in a statement following the announcement. “He’s not just a physical anomaly — he’s got an exceptional basketball IQ, leadership qualities, and an unmatched work ethic. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Tennessee family.”
Who Is Elijah Jackson?
Standing at a jaw-dropping 7 feet 9 inches tall with an 8’4” wingspan, Jackson has been turning heads since his freshman year of high school. A true two-way force, he averaged 32.7 points, 17.4 rebounds, and 6.2 blocks per game during his senior season at Sierra Vista Prep in California. Scouts have praised his mobility, footwork, and surprisingly smooth perimeter shot for a player of his size.
Jackson is widely seen as a lock for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, making his choice to attend college — and especially a non-blueblood program like Tennessee — all the more astonishing.
“This is unprecedented,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas. “We’ve never seen a player with this kind of physical profile who can move and shoot like Jackson, and for him to choose Tennessee over Duke or the G League is a tectonic shift in recruiting dynamics.”
Why Tennessee?
Sources close to Jackson cite the Volunteers’ player development record, fan culture, and recent success as key reasons for the decision. The Vols have made the Sweet Sixteen or further in four of the past six seasons and are building a reputation for sending prepared players to the pros.
“I wanted to be somewhere I could grow — not just as a player, but as a man,” Jackson said. “Coach Barnes treats you like family but also pushes you like a pro. That’s rare.”
Vol Nation Reacts
Within minutes of the announcement, social media exploded with reactions. “ROCKY TOP JUST LANDED A TITAN,” tweeted former Vol and NBA star Grant Williams. The university’s official athletics page posted: “The future is here. Welcome to Vol Nation, E.J.”
Local Knoxville businesses have already begun printing shirts and memorabilia featuring Jackson’s silhouette alongside the phrase: “The Tallest Vol of Them All.”
With Jackson now officially a Volunteer, expectations for Tennessee’s 2025–26 season have skyrocketed. The Vols are suddenly national title favorites — and all eyes will be on Knoxville when college basketball tips off this fall.
