<p>KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Forward John Fulkerson announced Friday he is returning to Tennessee for his sixth season, using the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the coronavirus pandemic. </p>
<p>Fulkerson informed Tennessee of his decision and <a href="https://twitter.com/fulkerson_john/status/1383080281943379969">shared it on social media with a video</a>. </p>
<p>The native of Kingsport, Tennessee, didn’t get to play in the NCAA Tournament in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-volunteers-mens-basketball-oregon-state-beavers-mens-basketball-oregon-tennessee-roman-silva-26408cc119b4bc989d9d8e7fcc998298">Volunteers’ first-round loss to Oregon State</a>. He had a concussion and facial fracture after taking two elbows to the face from Gators forward Omar Payne in a win over Florida in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. </p>
<p>Fulkerson said in the video that he has one more chance to walk off the court on his terms. </p>
<p>“My path still points to Rocky Top,” Fulkerson said. “This opportunity is too special to walk away from. Vol Nation, I’m back.” </p>
<p>The 6-foot-9 forward has started 53 of the 54 games played. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 points this season, a dip from his junior season when he scored 13.7 points and had 5.9 rebounds a game. </p>
<p>His return brings experience to a roster that will feature the No. 2 recruiting class as ranked by 247sports composite rankings. Coach Rick Barnes’ latest recruiting class features a pair of five-star signees in forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, who reclassified from 2022, and point guard Kennedy Chandler. </p>
<p>That class also includes 7-foot forward Jonas Aidoo, wing Jahmai Mashack and Quentin Diboundje from France. </p>
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<p>More AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Top25">https://twitter.com/AP_Top25</a></p>
