Why did Jonas Aidoo transfer from Tennessee? Arkansas forward faces No. 1 Vols in SEC opener

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Jonas Aidoo played for Tennessee basketball at Arkansas last season. He is playing for Arkansas at Tennessee this season.

The former Vols forward returned to Knoxville as a Razorback on Saturday following his transfer after a breakout season at Tennessee.

“We obviously have great love and respect for Jonas,” Vols coach Rick Barnes said at the Big Orange Caravan in May in Chattanooga. “We’ve watched him grow in our program. But again, he felt like he may want to play a different style, a different way.”

The No. 1 Vols (13-0) host Arkansas (11-2) on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Food City Center.

Aidoo averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.6 minutes in his three seasons at Tennessee. The 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in an injury-hampered 2024-25 season.

Jahmai Mashack, who came to Tennessee in the same 2021 recruiting class as Aidoo, said he sees a lot of similarities in the way Aidoo is playing at Arkansas. He suggested Arkansas might be using Aidoo more in transition and as a lob threat on pick-and-rolls.

“He’s still the same rebounder I’ve seen him be from when he was here,” Mashack said. “So nothing that I expect differently from him. … Going against somebody like Jonas is gonna be amazing experience.”

Aidoo attempted 15 3-pointers in 36 games with Tennessee last season. He has taken one in 10 games at Arkansas.

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Aidoo averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior with the Vols, earning All-SEC honors and landing on the All-SEC Defensive team. He had 66 blocks.

Aidoo entered the transfer portal April 11 and committed to Arkansas on April 29.

He was one of four outgoing transfers. Guard Freddie Dilione V transferred to Penn State, guard D.J. Jefferson went to Longwood and forward Tobe Awaka landed at Arizona. The Vols brought in guard Darlinstone Dubar, guard Chaz Lanier, forward Igor Milicic Jr. and forward Felix Okpara.

Mike Wilson covers University…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-did-jonas-aidoo-transfer-170502328.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2025-01-04 17:05:00

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