KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Lady Vol head coach Holly Warlick met with the media on Thursday afternoon, discussing the decision of Diamond DeShields and Mercedes Russell to remain at UT and sharing her thoughts on the anticipated impact of the No. 1-ranked 2017 signing class.
DeShields and Russell are fourth-year juniors and had the option of declaring for the WNBA Draft. They both opted not to do so, instead committing to returning and helping lead what looks to be a very promising 2017-18 Tennessee squad back to national prominence.
In addition to returning four starters, including the third member of UT's gifted Big Three in Jaime Nared, the Lady Vols have four other reserves back and welcome a highly-regarded freshman class.