Josiah and Santi Reflections

[Just a VolinTears]

If you have 20 min, this is truly an amazing watch. You may wanna grab some tissues for the final 5 minutes.
I love these 2 guys! Not only some of the best players for UT, but truly great individuals. They will be missed.
"One last ride together" -Santi

 

[CAVPUT]

If you have 20 min, this is truly an amazing watch. You may wanna grab some tissues for the final 5 minutes.
I love these 2 guys! Not only some of the best players for UT, but truly great individuals. They will be missed.
"One last ride together" -Santi

Great watch. Huge game tonight. It's all right there for the taking. Outright SEC championship and a big step to a #1 seed in the NCAAT. It'll be interesting to see how these guys play tonight....well, the entire team for that matter. Good luck fellas.

 

[utvolpj]

I watched JJJ at the UT basketball camp for the past 2 seasons and will forever be a fan. He was always surrounded by kids and truly seemed to enjoy every minute. My son got a pic with him both years and has them framed in his room.

 

[cardvolfan]

If you have 20 min, this is truly an amazing watch. You may wanna grab some tissues for the final 5 minutes.
I love these 2 guys! Not only some of the best players for UT, but truly great individuals. They will be missed.
"One last ride together" -Santi

Thanks, Hank. That was amazing.

 

[volsack7]

These have to be two of the most likable and humble players we have seen here. JJJ just oozes leadership and humility. Their presence and stability both on and off the court is surely a major factor for our success.

In a me-first, cash-out culture, I sure am proud to call these two gentlemen VFL’s.
Big fan!

 

[BigBadVol]

We are really going to miss these guys! I would love to see Santi stay as an assistant coach. JJJ may have a shot at pro ball somewhere. Maybe Santi too, who knows?

 

[volpack2]

What an incredible set of ambassadors for the Vol program. Talented, focused, driven yet high character, unselfish, articulate, and humble. What other program in the country can put forward a pair of representatives that match these qualities?

UT has been blessed to have these guys in their program for five years in an era where one to two years is the norm for top players in today’s game. It is a testament not only to these two special players but to their parents, past coaches, and Coach Barnes for assembling such a quality program from the problems that he inherited.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

These two really deserve all the team accolades this team can and I hope accomplish. They've won SEC tourney and really hope they close the deal with regular season championship and go far in the NCAA tourney.

Think, they had one season cancelled because of COVID, second season played in front of minimal fans plus couldn't be around teammates and practice, both have taken a ton of s**t from fans especially JJJ. They're not without their flaws and have had flame outs during the last 5 years. But, it is really rare in this day and age to have 2 players who've stuck around and played generally at high to elite level for 5 years.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

We are really going to miss these guys! I would love to see Santi stay as an assistant coach. JJJ may have a shot at pro ball somewhere. Maybe Santi too, who knows?

I would think both of them could at least make a little cash in Europe.

 

[OffTackleVol]

What an incredible set of ambassadors for the Vol program. Talented, focused, driven yet high character, unselfish, articulate, and humble. What other program in the country can put forward a pair of representatives that match these qualities?

UT has been blessed to have these guys in their program for five years in an era where one to two years is the norm for top players in today’s game. It is a testament not only to these two special players but to their parents, past coaches, and Coach Barnes for assembling such a quality program from the problems that he inherited.

Agree with everything. And really, it appears we have a team full of these type young men. One of the many reasons I enjoy watching them play.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

Did anyone catch the part about trying to convince Uros and Olivier to return? Was JJJ trying to get them to walk on for a year?

 

[cardvolfan]

Did anyone catch the part about trying to convince Uros and Olivier to return? Was JJJ trying to get them to walk on for a year?

Yes, definitely caught that. From what he said, it appears Uros and Olivier wanted to depart.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Did anyone catch the part about trying to convince Uros and Olivier to return? Was JJJ trying to get them to walk on for a year?

Would have been nice to have another big body with experience in a couple of our losses this year.

 

[tennrich1]

I forget how big JJJ actually is. He makes SV look tiny (which by normal standards isn't)

 

[hound dog hillbil]

Loyal players from day one to the end,rare to find that trait anymore.They will be remembered for years to come,as vfl legends.Blood and guts players.

 

[ThatVolGuy]

The little hints of Southern twang in Santi's voice—absolutely love it.

I'm gonna miss both of these guys tremendously. I love rooting for players who are just really, really good people.

 

[Voltopia]

The JJJ/SV era is - and was - a very, very good one for Tennessee, and they'll be missed both on and off the court.

Also, edited to add that they're both a fantastic testament to the value and the worth of having four year players who are truly committed to a program.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

Yes, definitely caught that. From what he said, it appears Uros and Olivier wanted to depart.

Imagine giving one of them a scholarship and passing on Knecht.

 

[omghulkhands]

Imagine giving one of them a scholarship and passing on Knecht.

I don’t think I will

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I watched JJJ at the UT basketball camp for the past 2 seasons and will forever be a fan. He was always surrounded by kids and truly seemed to enjoy every minute. My son got a pic with him both years and has them framed in his room.

My daughter and I met JJJ a few years ago as well. Very likable person and he even talked hoops with my kid.

 

[utvolpj]

My daughter and I met JJJ a few years ago as well. Very likable person and he even talked hoops with my kid.

They all were great kids but he was there every day. Always with a big, infectious smile

They mentioned in the video the type of players being recruited and it was very obvious that Barnes has a type. They were definitely the kind of people I wanted my young son to emulate in basketball and how he treats others.

 

[Old Geezer]

Santi could barely speak English when he arrived. Now he speaks excellent English - with a bit of East Tennessee twang.
Crazy. Imagine Santi teaching Barnes to speak Uruguayan Spanish/Portuguese.

 

[CAVPUT]

We are really going to miss these guys! I would love to see Santi stay as an assistant coach. JJJ may have a shot at pro ball somewhere. Maybe Santi too, who knows?

Honestly, I would love to see Vescovi come on the coaching staff if pro ball doesn't work out for him. I'd have to think he might make a good coach.

 

[Orangeslide]

Barnes and company do their homework in recruiting players, these two are a reflection of that. They are great people, players, and represent UT and their families first class in every way. Really pulling for our team to make a run to the final 4. Our coaches and players deserve it, especially those two. Go Vols!

 

[livefaith]

Did anyone catch the part about trying to convince Uros and Olivier to return? Was JJJ trying to get them to walk on for a year?

Glad they moved on really. Both brought things to the team. ON actually became Karl Malone in about 3 games / yr. But we needed to flip the roster. I'm glad we have Phillips and Estrella getting thier feet wet in year 1.