In a move that's shaking up both the college basketball and NBA draft landscapes, Wake Forest standout Juke Harris has officially withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. The decision comes hot on the heels of his announcement that he'll be transferring to the University of Tennessee, joining Coach Rick Barnes' squad for the upcoming season.
Harris, a 6-foot-7 guard, had a breakout sophomore year that turned heads across the nation. After being named the ACC Most Improved Player, he posted eye-popping numbers: 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 44.4% from the field. His 750 total points ranked sixth in the country, and he was 15th nationally in free throws made with 195. For context, his scoring average skyrocketed from just 6.1 points as a freshman—the biggest jump of any player in Division I.
Harris was one of 73 prospects invited to the combine, set for May 10-17 in Chicago. After initially testing the draft waters, he decided to pull out entirely following his transfer commitment. He was considered a potential late first-round pick, but his shift to Tennessee signals a focus on further developing his game in the SEC.
The transfer portal move made waves: 247Sports ranked Harris as the No. 8 transfer player, and his addition gives Tennessee the second-best transfer class in the country, joining VCU's Terrence Hill Jr. and Notre Dame's Jalen Haralson. For Volunteers fans, this is a major win—Harris joins a program that's been building serious momentum under Coach Barnes.
On a historical note, Harris's 750 points this season rank as the second-most in a single season in Wake Forest history, trailing only Len Chappell's 932 points—a number that's been retired by the program. It's a testament to just how dominant Harris was in his sophomore campaign, and why his decision to withdraw from the draft has so many people talking.
Whether you're a Tennessee fan dreaming of March Madness or just a hoops enthusiast tracking the next big thing, Juke Harris is a name you'll want to remember. And for those of us who love the game, his journey reminds us that sometimes the best plays happen off the court.