Tess Darby does not see eye-to-eye with Kaiya Wynn, who recently left the women’s college basketball team at Tennessee because she did not play on Senior Day. She believes her spot in the starting lineup are not given but earned.
Mind you, their situations are very different.
The less offended women’s college basketball player gets in the game often. The player who quit only came off of the bench during the early season against inferior opponents. Neither is right or wrong.
Kaiya Wynn quit the Tennessee women’s basketball team.
This unfortunate series of events stems from the game between the Volunteers and Commodores on Sunday. It was the final home game of the regular season.
Kaiya Wynn was hoping to get the first start of her five-year career. Head coach Kim Caldwell had an opportunity to put her on the floor in the starting lineup and sub her out of the game at the first stoppage. She did not do so. Wynn did not play a single minute during the 10-point loss.
The surprising snub did not go over well with a large portion of the Tennessee fanbase— which is already upset with Kim Caldwell for her disappointing second season at the helm. Wynn did not play more than 10 minutes per game at any point during her career but she never once thought to transfer in an era of collegiate athletics where athletes rarely stay in one place for five years. She was also an important leader and representative on/of the team and a fan favorite. Vol Nation loves her for staying.
Caldwell sparked a debate about Senior Day with her decision not to play Wynn. Does every senior deserve to play in the final home game of his or her career? Wynn saw it as disrespect.
As it would turn out, Caldwell actually tried to check her into the game with 45 seconds left in a game that was already trending toward a loss. Wynn declined. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
She officially announced on Tuesday that she is leaving the team just a few days before the postseason. Wynn does not feel valued enough to stay.
When asked about the surprising departure, Caldwell wished her nothing but the best. Tennessee has already moved on.
“We kind of have to turn the page.”
— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerFDP) March 4, 2026
Kim Caldwell after the sudden departure of fifth-year Lady Vol Kaiya Wynn ahead of the SEC Tournament. pic.twitter.com/zQsQ5CZwnm
The Volunteers currently sit at 16-12. They will play their first game of the SEC Tournament on Thursday night as the No. 6seed.
Tess Darby also did not start on Senior Day.
Darby also played all five years of her women’s college basketball career at the University of Tennessee. She also did not start on Senior Day but she does not see it as a reason to quit the team.
Darby did not earn the right to start. That decision is made by Kim Caldwell on performance, not seniority.
“I usually don’t comment on things like this, but with my name being mentioned, I want to clear the air. I was a fifth year and had two Senior Days and didn’t start either one under TWO DIFFERENT coaching staffs. In Coach Kim’s system, starting is earned off the previous game’s performance. Numbers don’t lie. I didn’t earn the right to start that game and that’s on me. Accountability isn’t disrespect, and standards aren’t mistreatment. I’ve always had and still have a great relationship with Coach Kim and the previous staff. Love and respect them all and I’m thankful for the opportunities they gave me.”
Her comments directly invalidate the feelings of Kaiya Wynn. Especially because their situations are very different.
Wynn had never started, ever, and averaged only 5.8 minutes in just nine games this season. Darby made 84 starts in five years and played a combined 28 minutes during her two different Senior Days. She also averaged 15.9 minutes per game in 33 games this season. It is not apples to apples.
Do you agree with Tess Darby or do you side with Kaiya Wynn? Let me know at Grayson@brobible.com!