Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo declares for NBA Draft, plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while also entering the NCAA transfer portal, keeping his options open for now, according to a report from On3’s Joe Tipton.

Aidoo averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as he helped lead Tennessee to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Aidoo was also a defensive aid, serving to block 1.8 shots per game, a solid rim protector.

He’d be a solid piece to keep around if Tennessee could retain him, and you have to figure the Volunteers will try.

Aidoo’s improvement over the last three years has been tremendous. He went from averaging 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman, to 5.1 points and 4.9 rebounds as a sophomore, to 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior.

At 6 foot 11, 241 pounds, he has excellent size in the post.

Prior to enrolling at Tennessee, Jonas Aidoo was a four-star prospect and the No. 40 overall player in the nation in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checked in as a the No. 7 center in the class and the No. 1 overall player in the state of North Carolina, hailing from Charlotte (NC) Liberty Heights Athletic Institute.

Big man Tobe Awaka enters transfer portal

Jonas Aidoo isn’t the only Tennessee big man to enter the transfer portal following the season. Tennessee big man Tobe Awaka is entering the transfer portal after two years in Knoxville.

Awaka, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound sophomore, averaged 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season in 13.1 minutes of action per outing.

“Dear Vol nation, the past two years have been some of the most influential of my life,” Awaka said in a statement. “The relationships gained and the experiences I’ve had will be forever life-changing. I want to start by thanking Coach (Rick) Barnes, all of the assistant coaches, and the rest of the basketball staff, for welcoming me with open arms and supporting me during my time at Rocky Top. I also want to thank my teammates — my brothers for life. It was a pleasure getting to know and going to war with you all these past two years. Last but not least, thank you Vol nation for being one of the best fan bases in the country. Your hospitality and support has truly been a blessing.

“This decision was extremely difficult to make, however, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. Thank you Vol nation, I will always love Tennessee.”