Tamari Key, the all-time blocks leader for the Tennessee Lady Vols, has announced her decision to end her college basketball career
Tamari Key, the all-time blocks leader for the Tennessee Lady Vols, has announced her decision to end her college basketball career and not use her COVID year of eligibility for a sixth season with the team[1][2][5]. Key made the announcement on social media, expressing gratitude for the opportunities and relationships basketball had given her, and thanking her teammates, coaches, and support staff for their roles in her development[1][2].
Key’s college career was marked by numerous accomplishments, including breaking the single-season and career blocks records as a junior, surpassing Lady Vols legend Candace Parker’s program record of 275 blocks with 119 blocks in a single season, and finishing her career with 347 blocks, making her one of six players in SEC history to surpass 300 in their career[1][2]. She was also a crucial part of Tennessee’s rally in the Lady Vols’ final game of the 2022-23 season, a 79-72 loss to NC State in the second round of the NCAA tournament, contributing 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal[1][2].
Key’s decision to end her college career comes a day after Tennessee fired Kellie Harper, whose first season as coach was Key’s freshman year[1][2]. Key’s departure marks the end of a successful career at Tennessee, where she was a strong presence in the paint on both ends of the court, led the team in field goal percentage (57.4%) this season, surpassed 1,000 career points on senior night, and started in 107 games and played 131 total at Tennessee[1][2].
Key’s retirement from Tennessee basketball is a significant moment for the program, as she is one of four players in Tennessee history to log a triple-double, and the only player with two, having posted her first career triple-double as a sophomore with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocks against Florida on Jan. 31, 2021, and her second against Texas as a junior when she had 10 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 blocks on Nov. 21, 2021[1][2].
Key’s decision to retire from Tennessee basketball is a reflection of her resilience, patience, and reflection on a record-breaking career, and she will be remembered as a valuable contributor to the Lady Vols’ success[3].
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