The Lady Vols have landed their first transfer portal commitment.
Per On3, Liberty guard Avery Mills is set to join the Lady Vols.
Mills becomes the first addition of the offseason for coach Kim Caldwell, who is rebuilding the roster following a wave of departures. With her commitment, Tennessee now has two players on its roster, joining incoming freshman Gabby Minus.
Mills, a 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 15 points per game this past season while shooting 43% from the field. She scored in double figures more than 20 times and showed consistent growth as both a scorer and facilitator.
Her production also came against strong competition. In an early-season matchup with Duke, Mills finished with 13 points, a performance that offered a glimpse of how her game can translate against high-major opponents. Even when the efficiency was not perfect, the willingness to take shots and operate within the offense stood out.
Mills is also familiar with Tennessee.
As a freshman, she scored 19 points against the Lady Vols, which would become a season high figure. That performance helped her earn all-freshman team honors and introduced her ability to create offense against SEC-level competition.
Over the course of her sophomore season, Mills expanded her game. She not only scored at a higher rate, but also showed improved decision-making and playmaking ability. That development aligns with what Tennessee emphasized this past season. Caldwell repeatedly pointed to the need for better ball movement and more consistent offensive execution.
Mills addresses part of that need.
She brings scoring, but also the ability to operate within a system and create for others, traits that Tennessee lacked at times this past season.
Her commitment marks an important first step in the Lady Vols’ roster rebuild.
While additional pieces, particularly in the frontcourt, remain a priority, Mills provides a foundation in the backcourt as Tennessee begins shaping its identity moving forward.
