Breaking – Lady Vols suspended Tamari Key today due to…

Tamari Key, a record-setting shot blocker in her career, quits Lady Vols basketball after her collegiate career.

Tamari Key finished her career as a Lady Vols basketball player.

The redshirt senior made the announcement on social media on Tuesday that she will be ending her collegiate career and forgoing her last year of eligibility, which was granted due to the COVID-19 season. Her choice was made the day after Kellie Harper, who was Key’s freshman year’s coach for Tennessee, was dismissed.

With 119 blocks in her junior year, the 6-foot-6 center surpassed both the career and single-season marks for blocks. She surpassed Lady Vols legend Candace Parker’s program record of 275 with that, putting her career total at 277. With 347 blocks at the end of her career, Key became one of just six players in SEC history to reach 300 in their career.

“I am so thankful for everything that basketball has blessed me with. It has given me the ability to travel, meet new people and create relationships with you all. I will always cherish those memories,” Key wrote in her post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Thank you for an amazing five years and for all of the unconditional love and support that you have shown me. I have found a forever home and family here. I also would like to thank my teammates, my coaches and support staff who pushed me to be the best version of myself every day.

“With that being said, I will not be pursuing my COVID year, and I am grateful to embark on the next chapter of my life.”