Despite suspicions that Auburn basketball freshman transfer Justin Powell would end up in his native state Kentucky, the former Tiger announced he will be continuing his career at Tennessee. The former three-star prospect played only 10 games at Auburn this season due to a concussion suffered in the game versus Texas A&M in January.
Powell averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists under head coach Bruce Pearl, who seemed very supportive of the freshman throughout the course of his injury. Everyone took notice of the shooting guard that was suddenly running the point and doing it well in the absence of Sharife Cooper.
And now, everyone is more than a little confused. Why leave Bruce Pearl and Auburn basketball if not to be closer to home at Kentucky? Why go to Tennessee? We can’t know for sure, of course, but keep in mind that Powell played at three different high schools in four years, including one all the way in Florida.
Regardless of the reasoning, Auburn basketball fans feel pretty betrayed and are looking forward to facing off against the Volunteers in the 2021 season:
Justin Powell has decided to transfer from Auburn to a team who cannot beat Auburn
— Skye Underwood (@SkyeUnderwood) April 3, 2021
Justin Powell to Tennessee makes no sense whatsoever, but here we are. https://t.co/HUX5bq0tEx
— Jay Phillips (@aubawn) April 3, 2021
How many teams has he been on in the last 5 years?
— John Junkin (@johnjunkin91) April 3, 2021
What Powell did: pic.twitter.com/Vd109qpKKm
— Auburn Memes (@AuburnMemes) April 3, 2021
Really looking forward to seeing where his dad forces him to transfer to after next season!
— Griff, Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer (@Gtyndall) April 3, 2021
What trying to go to Kentucky vs landing at Tennessee looks like: pic.twitter.com/mA3rYV1XMt
— Auburn Memes (@AuburnMemes) April 3, 2021
Losing Justin Powell to Tennessee is tough, especially because it’s Tennessee. Let’s hope he’s prepared to hear the roar of The Jungle next season in Auburn Arena when he returns wearing the wrong shade of orange.