Avery Mills, the first transfer portal commit for Lady Vols basketball last April, had successful knee surgery and posted Thursday on her social media: REHAB HAS TO DEAL WITH ME!!!!!

That is the attitude it takes to come back from a procedure to repair an ACL and meniscus in her right knee, which Mills injured June 30 during a summer team skill workout. The surgery took place Wednesday.

Her mother, Heather Mills, posted: Yesterday, Avery walked into knee surgery, but more importantly, she walked into a story that God has already been writing,”

One of the most beautiful moments came when her nurse came out to talk to me after surgery. She looked at me and told me that Avery had impacted her in such a deep way. She said that coming out of surgery, Avery thanked her over and over again – probably 100 times – and that no one had ever impacted her like that.

And if you know Avery, you know that is exactly who she is.

All eight players eligible to return for the Lady Vols opted for the transfer portal last spring. On the second day of the portal opening, Mills was in Knoxville with her family, who made the drive from Lynchburg, Virginia, to visit coach Kim Caldwell and Tennessee.

The former standout at Liberty made her decision public the next day and became the first of 14 new players who would choose Tennessee over the next three weeks. A 15th player, guard Gabby Minus, had stuck to her commitment as a high school senior and arrived this summer as scheduled.

“Avery Mills brings toughness, leadership and sharp shooting that will translate to the SEC immediately,” Caldwell said last May after the full team had been assembled. “She is a great player and an even better person. Her impact on our team will be great, both on and off the floor.”

The loss of Mills is significant because Caldwell’s system depends, in part, on having excellent shooters. Mills shot 42.7 percent from the arc and 85.1 percent from line last season at Liberty. As a freshman, she played in all 33 games and earned CUSA All-Freshman Team honors. When Tennessee hosted Liberty in 2024, Mills tallied 19 points on 7-9 shooting overall and 3-5 from the arc.

But Mills, while she has an extensive rehab process in front of her, also has the attitude she needs to get to the other side.

She posted: Thank you Lord!!!

After a successful ACL & Meniscus repair surgery, the comeback starts now!

Not at all how I would’ve planned this summer to start, but if you know me you know that I trust His plan far more than mine. I encourage you to do the same!

2 Corinthians 12:9 – in our weakness is where we get to sit back & watch His strength come through!

So beyond blessed & thankful to have the best teammates, coaches, staff & family to walk beside me on this journey.

Taking this process day by day, brick by brick.. A1 will be back soon Rocky Top!

Avery Mills (social media)

That post can be viewed HERE.

A lengthy July interview with Caldwell can be read HERE.

Part of the interview covered the NCAA’s new “5 for 5” rule, which grants five years of eligibility within a five-year window. It’s really an age rule that addressed athletes 25 and older – some in their sixth, seventh or even eighth year of college due to injury or hardship issues – competing against much younger players. A full explanation of “5 for 5” – which the NCAA calls Age-Based Eligibility Rules – can be read HERE.

Of the 15 players on Tennessee’s roster, 12 will fall under the new rule. Three seniors used redshirt years already and will play their final collegiate season in 2026-27. Mills, a junior this season, has three years of eligibility left under “5 for 5.”

Under the old rules, using Mills as an example, the athlete would take a redshirt year this season and have two seasons left to play. Under the new rules, if the athlete played at any point late this season, it would count as one of the three years, and the athlete would still have two years left. Under the old rules, playing late in the season would burn the redshirt year, and leave just one year remaining.

Avery Mills launches a shot against Tennessee in 2024 (Liberty Athletics)

The new rules provide a path for any player who sustains a preseason or in-season injury to return later that season under more favorable eligibility circumstances. For any player, it could be motivation during a lengthy rehab. Under all aspects of this scenario, it is predicated on full recovery and medical release to play. But it’s a rule change that can help a player mentally and physically – and that’s a good thing.

Mills has an “it” factor to her game and could thrive in Caldwell’s system. Her debut at Tennessee will be delayed, and her full recovery from surgery and rehab ultimately will set that timeline.

Heather Mills’ post – it can be viewed HERE – also included multiple emojis of orange hearts and oranges and closed with this message: I am so incredibly grateful that God chose me to be her mom and that I get to walk beside her through this journey. But more than anything, I am humbled to witness what God is going to do through this story.

I have no doubt this will be a story of healing, perseverance, faith and joy that points people straight to Jesus.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” -Deuteronomy 31:6

Avery keep shining. Your greatest impact has never been just what you do on the court. It’s who you are because of Christ.

God is going to use this story. GREATEST COMEBACK STORY!

Side note: We are also so incredibly grateful for the University of Tennessee family – her coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, medical staff, and everyone who has surrounded Avery through this journey. The love, support, and care they have shown her has been nothing short of incredible. They have reminded us that family is built not only by blood but by the people God places around us.

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Maria M. Cornelius, a senior writer/editor at MoxCar Marketing + Communications since 2013, started her journalism career at the Knoxville News Sentinel and began writing about the Lady Vols in 1998. In 2016, she published her first book, “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt,” through The University of Tennessee Press and a 10th anniversary edition was released June 16, 2026. A third book, “The Legacy of Pat Summitt” will be released Nov. 17, 2026.