BREAKING: KIM CALDWELL ASKS TENNESSEE KEY MAN TO LEAVE THE TEAM AMIDST LADY VOLUNTEERS’ EARLY TOURNAMENT EXIT
Nashville, TN – In a shocking move, Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell has asked starting guard Lazaria Spearman to leave the team, sources close to the program confirmed. The decision comes on the heels of the Lady Vols’ disappointing exit from the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The Lady Vols, who were seeking their first tournament title since 2014, were eliminated by the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second round, 84-76. The loss marked a frustrating end to a season that had promised much but ultimately fell short of expectations.
According to sources, Caldwell’s decision to ask Spearman to leave the team was not solely based on the guard’s performance in the tournament. Rather, it was the culmination of a series of issues that had been building throughout the season.
“Lazaria is an incredibly talented player, but unfortunately, her behavior and attitude had become a distraction to the team,” said Caldwell in a statement. “As a coach, it’s my responsibility to make tough decisions that are in the best interest of the program, and I believe this decision was necessary for us to move forward.”
Spearman, a junior guard, had started 25 games for the Lady Vols this season, averaging 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Her departure will undoubtedly be felt, but Caldwell is confident that the team will bounce back from this setback.
“We have a talented and resilient group of players, and I’m excited to see how they respond to this challenge,” said Caldwell. “We’ll use this as an opportunity to regroup, refocus, and come back stronger next season.”
The Lady Vols will now turn their attention to the offseason, where they will look to regroup and rebuild ahead of the 2025-26 season.
*REACTING TO THE NEWS*
– “I’m shocked and
Leave a Reply