KNOXVILLE — Tyler Smith hasn’t decided whether to stay in the NBA draft or return for his senior season with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team, Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl said Wednesday.

That’s not the only question surrounding Pearl’s player personnel, though.

Smith’s possible return could cause a scholarship crunch, but former East Ridge High School star Phillip Jurick’s possible transfer would keep UT at 14 players. The Volunteers must play with 14 — rather than the normal 15 — next season as a result of subpar NCAA Academic Progress Report scores.

Attempts to contact Jurick on Wednesday night weren’t successful. The Knoxville News Sentinel anonymously credited a “source close to the program” with news that Jurick was “expected to transfer in the coming weeks.” Sources close to the player and UT’s program have made similar (though not as direct) comments since last season’s conclusion.

Jurick’s future has been increasingly uncertain for weeks. Pearl hasn’t confirmed the 6-foot-11 center’s plans, but he admitted last month that the player was concerned about his future in Knoxville.

“I knew when we signed Philip that his best basketball was in front of him, and I still believe that,” Pearl said. “I still believe he’s got a bright future, if he continues to work hard and progress like he’s done so far. I’d like to see him develop in our program.”

Pearl initially went straight to the public with Wednesday’s Smith update, via a post on twitter.com. Smith — a 6-foot-7, All-Southeastern Conference player from Tennessee — would certainly be welcomed back by teammates and coaches. His preference has long been to stay in the draft and secure his family’s financial future, but he said last month that returning to UT “wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.” He hasn’t signed with an agent and has reportedly stayed in solid academic standing, which would allow him to return.