James, Vescovi Sign with NBA Teams

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Two of the most accomplished players in the history of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball program have inked contracts with NBA teams to begin their professional careers.

Josiah-Jordan James agreed to terms on a deal with the Indiana Pacers, while Santiago Vescovi did so with the Golden State Warriors. Both guards spent five seasons at Tennessee, competing for the Volunteers from 2019-20 through 2023-24.

James will begin play with the Pacers at the NBA Summer League, held July 12-22 in Las Vegas. Vescovi will compete in the California Classic, set for July 6-10 in San Francisco, before departing for Las Vegas.

All three of Tennessee’s scholarship seniors who exhausted their eligibility in 2023-24 will be playing in the NBA Summer League, as guard Dalton Knecht is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers after being selected No. 17 in the NBA Draft.

James is one of two players in Tennessee history with 1,250 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 steals and 100 blocks, alongside Vincent Yarbrough (1998-2002). He is third all-time among Volunteers in appearances (144), wins (114) and minutes (4,068).

The Charleston, S.C., native is fifth at Tennessee in starts (123), co-fifth in steals (183), eighth in made 3-pointers (196) and eighth in rebounds (844), as well as No. 12 in offensive rebounds (201) and No. 30 in scoring (1,270).

A member of the 2022 SEC All-Tournament Team and a two-time Preseason All-SEC designee, James owns Tennessee’s career record for rebounds (65) and steals (16) in NCAA Tournament play. He scored in double figures 62 times at Tennessee and amassed eight double-doubles.

Vescovi is one of two Volunteers with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists, joining Allan Houston (1989-93). He is the program’s all-time leader in steals (212) and starts (144), while placing second in appearances (149) and minutes (4,432), plus third in made 3-pointers (325), the latter mark eighth-best in SEC history.

A native of Montevideo, Uruguay, Vescovi ranks fourth at Tennessee in wins (106), fourth in made 3-pointers per game (2.18), eighth in assists (453), No. 10 in 3-point percentage (37.2), No. 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.75), No. 11 in free-throw percentage (79.8), No. 13 in steals per game (1.42) and No. 18 in scoring (1,540).

Vescovi is a two-time First Team All-SEC honoree, two-time USBWA All-District choice and two-time NABC All-District selection. He tallied double-digit points 81 times at…