Tobe Awaka was a double-double standout for Team USA in U19 World Cup
Team USA didn’t finish where it wanted in the FIBA U-19 World Cup, but Tennessee’s Tobe Awaka was a standout for the Americans in the tournament, with the sophomore power forward averaging 11.6 points and 10.6 rebounds over seven games.
Awaka was one of just three players to average a double-double during the tournament. He led all players in rebounds per game (10.6) and offensive rebounds (5.0).
He posted the leading rebounding numbers despite averaging just 20.7 minutes per game, the lowest among the top-20 rebounders in the tournament.
Awaka had seven points and 13 rebounds on Sunday in a loss to Turkey in the tournament’s third-place game. He had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four steals in a semifinal loss to France.
He had 14 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes against Japan and 15 points and 14 rebounds in 20 minutes versus China. He had five points and eight rebounds against Lebanon, after opening the tournament with a combined 26 points and 18 rebounds in two games against Slovenia and Madagascar.
Tobe Awaka averaged 3.2 points, 3.8 rebounds in 10.3 minutes during freshman season with Vols
Awaka, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward from Hyde Park, N.Y., averaged 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game off the bench as a freshman at Tennessee last season. He showed off a knack for rebounding in his 350 minutes played, grabbing 128 boards, including 59 offensive rebounds.
Awaka was a three-star prospect who committed to Rick Barnes and the Vols late in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He signed with Tennessee in July, joining the program midway through summer workouts.
Awaka was one of 12 players to make the roster after workouts and practices during Team USA’s camp in Colorado.
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The final roster included Awaka alongside Mark Armstrong, Omaha Bilew, Kylan Boswell, Myles Colvin, Eric Dailey Jr., Dylan Harper, Ian Jackson, Tre Johnson, Ven-Allen Lubin, Asa Newell and Cody Williams.
Tennessee added six players during offseason roster overhaul
Awaka and Tennessee redshirt freshman Freddie Dilione V were among the final 14 candidates for the roster. The two survived two rounds of cuts, with original pool of talent including 35 players. It was later cut down to 18 players and then 14, before the final roster was announced.
Tennessee added six new players over the offseason during another round of roster overhaul. The Vols signed four-star forward JP Estrella, four-star wing Cameron Carr and three-star forward Cade Phillips.
Northern Colorado wing Dalton Knecht, Harvard forward Chris Ledlum and UNC Upstate shooting guard Jordan Gainey were additions from the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Awaka should play a much bigger role for the Vols in 2023-24, returning alongside junior forward Jonas Aidoo in the post.
