Tennessee Basketball: Rick Barnes is dipping back into the Canadian well

Tennessee basketball and Rick Barnes are dipping back into the Canadian well after Barnes offered a five-star Canadian recruit.

The last time that Tennessee basketball had a center from Canada, he went by the name of Kyle Alexander, and he was a key part of Tennessee’s success in the paint. Of course, he had some help with Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, but he was still a big piece down low.

It looks like after a successful four years with Alexander, the Vols and head coach Rick Barnes are going back to Canada to find his next great center.

Barnes isn’t shy about bringing international players to Rocky Top either. Along with Alexander, Tennessee has brought in four international players, including two from Canada.

On Friday night, the Vols offered another Canadian big man, and it should be to no one’s surprise. Charles Bediako is a five-star center from St. Catharines, Ontario, and has the ability to shoot all around the floor, not just down low.

https://twitter.com/CBediako/status/1243731616662462471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1243731616662462471&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockytopinsider.com%2F2020%2F03%2F28%2Fvols-offer-5-star-center-from-canada%2F

Standing at 6-foot-11, Bediako has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and could be the man down low that could help get the Vols over the top.

Bediako already is and will continue to be a highly sought after recruit. He currently has offers from Duke, Ohio State, Michigan State, Louisville, Memphis, Florida, Xavier, and others

That is some serious competition for Barnes and the Vols, but the Vols have a unique advantage over the other teams with their experience with signing so many international players.

247Sports National Recruiting Analyst, Josh Gershon, projected Bediako as a power-five starter coming out of high school.

"“Mobile center with good size, long arms and budding athleticism. Very physically immature with a frame that should eventually carry a lot more weight,” Gershon said. “Has improved motor/competitiveness throughout high school career. Still relatively raw on offense but hands and feet don’t give serious limitations. Can finish with both hands but prefers right. Footwork and face up ability could improve. Has made progress as rebounder and rim protector with strength. Needs to get stronger and add to skill but has high ceiling. On path to be high major starter with professional upside depending on skill development.”"

The last offer that Bediako received was from Duke in December, so news surrounding him has been pretty quiet recently. This could be a great opportunity for Barnes, and the Vols to swoop in and rise to the top of his offer list.

Tennessee is still looking for its first commitment for the 2021 class, and if the Vols can lock down Bediako as its first commitment of the class, then we could see some momentum in Tennessee basketball recruiting that we haven’t seen in a long time.