In Indianapolis, during pregame introductions on the road, Tennessee’s basketball team has a unique tradition. Instead of the starting five stepping onto the court individually, the Volunteers stay in a close-knit huddle as each name in the lineup is announced. This is not intended to be disrespectful but rather an acknowledgment of the value sixth man Jordan Gainey brings to the team. According to coach Rick Barnes, “Our motto has been ‘It’s not about me.'” This philosophy is why they remain united during introductions. Barnes underscores Jordan’s importance, stating, “Jordan, you know, he’s a starter. He’s as much a starter as anybody.”
Gainey, who transferred from USC Upstate in April 2023 after his father, Justin Gainey, joined Tennessee’s staff, has adjusted well to his new role. At USC Upstate, he was a notable player with 61 starts out of 64 games, achieving all-conference recognition during his tenure there. He has embraced the sixth-man responsibility on the Vols, thriving as the first guard off the bench and contributing significantly this season.
“My teammates help me every day in practice, making sure I do what I’m supposed to do,” Gainey shared. “When it comes to game time, there’s nothing new out there. Everything seems natural, and we’re all playing team basketball.” This mindset was evident during Tennessee’s Sweet 16 match against Kentucky, where Gainey was instrumental. He entered the game in the first half when Tennessee began to control the matchup, ultimately winning 78-65. A noteworthy moment came in the second half when Gainey hit a precise step-back jumper, maintaining a 15-point lead, and later reinforced the victory with an uncontested dunk. He ended the game with 16 points in 29 minutes, boasting a plus-10 rating, second only behind teammate Zakai Zeigler’s plus-12.
Zeigler praised, “He’s the best sixth-man in the country. JG is a sixth starter. Every time he steps on the court, he’s like a microwave. He’s hot already.” As Tennessee prepares to face top-seeded Houston in the Midwest Region final, Gainey’s contributions remain crucial. The Volunteers are in pursuit of their first Final Four appearance and rely on Gainey, who is third in team scoring and minutes during the tournament, averaging 12 points and just over 29 minutes. His effectiveness shone in a second-round win over UCLA, where he made three 3-pointers, scored 13 points, and assisted three times in the second half of a 67-58 victory.
Reflecting on his son’s performance, Justin Gainey commented, “You want dad or you want coach? As a coach, I think he’s been very impactful. He adds a dimension coming off the bench scoring and defending. As dad, I think he’s done a good job and I think he still has more room to grow.” Despite his dual role, Justin is deeply proud of this opportunity.
“As a proud parent, it is cool,” Justin expressed emotionally. “Especially when you get to this time of the season, you don’t know how many more chances you’ll have. I never had a chance to coach him growing up, and I missed a lot of games when he was in high school and at college before here. The chance to be able to coach him and see him every day, just to say, ‘How ya doing?’ has been special.”
Despite some challenges, Jordan’s role as a coach’s son has not led to conflicts. “It hasn’t always been smooth,” Justin admitted. “There’s been times he’s had to fight through things. If he were somewhere else, I wouldn’t see the struggle. As a parent sometimes, you hate to see your son struggle.” The respect Gainey’s teammates have shown by forgoing their court introductions on the road is touching to his father. At home games, where introductions proceed, it may be to please fans more than any other reason, Justin speculates.
“This team, man, it’s the most connected team I’ve ever been with,” Justin concluded. “They genuinely love each other. They pull for each other and cheer for each other. They all want to see each other do well. Nobody cares how many they score, how many minutes they’re playing. All they care about is winning and looking out for each other.”