Jonas Aidoo, former Tennessee big man, announces transfer to SEC team
Jonas Aidoo has found a new home in the SEC.
After three seasons playing for Rick Barnes’ Tennessee program, Aidoo announced that he is headed to Arkansas. Aidoo included new Razorback coach John Calipari in the commitment graphic announcing his decision.
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Aidoo has played in 90 contests over 3 seasons with the Volunteers. He has 1 remaining season of college eligibility.
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Impact transfer for Arkansas
Aidoo leaves UT after a career year. He made 19 appearances off the bench as a freshman and 35 as a sophomore, with 9 starts. In Tennessee’s 2023-24 campaign, Aidoo started all 36 games.
All of Aidoo’s career highs are from this past season, in which he played 895 minutes, up from a combined 785 minutes in the previous two seasons.
In his junior season, Aidoo averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He went off for 29 points against Georgia Southern on Dec. 12 and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Georgia game on Jan. 13. Interestingly enough, Aidoo’s career-high for field goals came on Feb. 14 against Arkansas, when he hit 11 shots from the field. Aidoo recorded 5 blocks in the NCAA Tournament, a Tennessee record, to bring his season total to 66.
Aidoo’s play earned him first-team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team recognition for 2024.
Calipari building first Arkansas roster
Aidoo gives Calipari five players for his first Arkansas squad. Aidoo is the first Arkansas commitment who did not have a previous tie to Calipari as a former Kentucky player or recruit
The front court should be an area of strength for Calipari’s first Arkansas squad. Calipari’s first roster-building move was to add Zvonimir “Big Z” Ivisic from Kentucky via the portal. Big Z wasn’t NCAA eligible for a full freshman season, but he did put up double-figure scoring in 4 SEC contests, including 18 points in UK’s win over Alabama.
Calipari and his staff have also made three notable flips. Kentucky commitments Karter Knox, Billy Richmond and Boogie Fland all flipped to the Hogs to play for Calipari.
Just an observation that Arkansas likes to brag that since the state doesn’t have any pro teams that most everyone supports the Razorbacks. No pro team? But that team is paid almost like a pro one divvying up $6-7 mil. Much better than the B pro leagues. Oh well. Sign of the times and no turning back, I reckon.
The so called Blue Bloods always bought players, now Arkansas is paying real money for players to go with their outstanding facilities. Add Cal and his connections for talent, they could build a monster to rival that 90’s run with Nolan.
Disappointed, but wish him luck? Thanks for playing.
Jonas needed to have been a forward and likely made a mistake coming to ut and being a C. he has a lot of talent but, obviously, struggles with big men down low. if ark plays him as a F he will have another great year but will need to develop much better shooting touch around the paint to make it to the nba. I too wish him limited success. I hope the big guys we have committed from the portal provide a better C/F combo than we had (I think they will). If they do and we can replace DK’s points (need one more really good shooting wing, the kid from N. Flo) we should be in for another very good season.