Vols basketball: John Fulkerson 'will add a dimension' in eventual return

Rick Barnes likes the group of players he has as Tennessee’s season-opener is less than a month away.

There’s one element still missing, though, and that’s forward John Fulkerson.

“We need to get John Fulkerson back,” Barnes said Thursday. “There’s no doubt he will add a dimension to our team that we need.”

Fulkerson, a redshirt sophomore, has battled a pair of injuries in the past year that have him limited in preseason practices before Tennessee faces Presbyterian on Nov. 10.

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The first was a gruesome elbow injury suffered when Fulkerson fell awkwardly and landed on his arm on Dec. 15 against Lipscomb. The injury required surgery and Fulkerson was sidelined for the remainder of the season, taking a medical redshirt.

The second came in the spring, when the 6-foot-9 forward tore the labrum in his left shoulder during the spring. He underwent a second surgery and still is working back toward full participation on the court.

“He’s close,” Barnes said. “He’s had two pretty tough injuries. We are not going to force it too quick. We know he will get it back. He is doing some things. But he’s not allowed to go full contact yet. Once he gets back, it’s going to be some trauma to his body obviously with the physicality of it. But he will figure it out pretty quick.”

The Kingsport, Tenn., native was hitting his stride before suffering the elbow injury. He started six times in 10 games as a freshman before the injury, averaging 4.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 16.0 minutes per game.

Barnes previously said he expects Fulkerson will be “back full go” by the end of October.

“It’s going to take him some time,” Barnes said. “You can’t miss that much then pop right back in. He’ll get it back. It’s just a matter of when that we get him going again and get everybody healthy.”

Rocky Top Tip-Off takes place Friday

Tennessee is holding its annual Rocky Top Tip-Off event at 6 p.m. ET Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Fans will get their first look at the Vols and the Lady Vols on the night, with an autograph session, team introductions and various skill competitions. Barnes said Thursday that while the event is great for fans, he also thinks it is great for the players.

“I think that when you think of both teams, they put time in and they’ve worked hard,” Barnes said. “We know the season is getting closer day-by-day. They enjoy that. It will be a fun time. That’s always what we want it to be, where it’s a great experience for the fans to be able to come and get close to the players and enjoy it and let them have some fun because they have been working hard.”

The event is scheduled to run until 8 p.m. ET with free parking and admission.