The transfer portal can be both a boon and a bane. While the Tennessee Volunteers enjoyed its benefits last year with Dalton Knecht’s arrival, this week has seen its drawbacks manifest twice.
This time, center Jonas Aidoo reportedly joins the transfer portal and declares for the NBA Draft, according to multiple sources. It marks the Vols’ second significant loss from the portal this week, following forward Tobe Awaka’s announcement of his intent to transfer on Tuesday.
There’s no sugarcoating it—this is a significant blow for the Vols. Despite recent disappointment in the Elite Eight against Purdue, Aidoo’s defensive prowess earned him a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team last year, making him a formidable presence in the paint. Additionally, his offensive game showed improvement this season, though there’s still room for growth.
Aidoo posted impressive stats, averaging 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in 24.8 minutes last season—more than doubling his points per game from the previous year.
With their two most physical players departing, Coach Rick Barnes faces a daunting task of rebuilding and reshaping the roster for the upcoming season. A highly coveted prospect in the transfer portal is former Arizona Wildcat Oumar Ballo, a 7-foot center from Mali, who announced his intent to transfer earlier this week. Averaging 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, Ballo will undoubtedly attract attention from top programs, meaning the Vols will have stiff competition for his services.
Yet, such is the landscape of college athletics today—free agency is prevalent, and players seek better opportunities every offseason.
It remains to be seen if Barnes can leverage this situation to secure quality replacements in the coming days. Nevertheless, Tennessee faces a considerable challenge in filling the void left by Aidoo’s departure.
