John Fulkerson

Classroom

Fulkerson graduated from Tennessee in May of 2020, earning his degree in recreation and sport management. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll twice.

He is now enrolled in the agricultural, education, and communication graduate level program, carrying a 3.33 GPA.

Character

Fulkerson had an incredible start to his freshman campaign but unfortunately suffered a season ending injury that December. He was granted a redshirt and battled through both physical and mental obstacles to get back on the court. In 2019-20, Fulkerson reemerged and became vocal leader for the Vols. He earned a spot on the 2020 All-SEC second team for his play, as well.

Last season was a test of Fulkerson’s character. He not only had to improve his ability to lead by example, but his ability to lead his teammates vocally through the trials of the pandemic as one of two seniors on the team as well. Fulkerson stepped up to the challenge.

Entering his final season with Tennessee, Fulkerson will once again be tasked as the leader of a team with seven newcomers.

Community

Fulkerson has been extremely active in community efforts during his time in Knoxville. Through the Emerald Youth Foundation of Knoxville, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, and UT’s Hoops for Hope, Fulkerson has logged over 75 hours of service. He was named to the 2020 and 2021 SEC Community Service Teams for the impact he has made.

Fulkerson has served on Tennessee’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the last three years. He has helped coordinate and run various events, such as UT’s annual VOLoween event,  in which student-athletes provide a fun-filled Halloween themed evening for local children.

In addition, Fulkerson announced that he would use a portion of his NIL earnings to donate $1 to the Tennessee Fund for every point the team scores this season.

Competition

Fulkerson put together a career year in 2019-20. Selected to the All-SEC second team, he led the Vols in scoring (13.7 ppg), field-goal percentage (.612), total rebounding (5.9 rpg), offensive rebounding (2.1 orpg) and steals (1.1 spg). Fulkerson’s scoring average jumped 10.6 points per game from his redshirt sophomore season and his .612 field-goal percentage as a junior stands as the fourth-best single-season field-goal percentage in program history.

He followed up his standout redshirt junior season with a solid year as a redshirt senior. Fulkerson started 24 of the 25 games that he played in, scoring 9.5 points per game and leading Tennessee in field goal percentage (.527).

He currently owns the sixth-best career field goal percentage in school history (.564) and leads all active SEC players in both career blocks (87) and career steals (91).

Entering his final season with the Vols, Fulkerson was selected to the preseason All-SEC first team and named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List.