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Vols center Jonas Aidoo being courted by rival school that could be a problem for Tennessee

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated 4/19/24

The Tennessee Volunteers' roster should look significantly different once the season gets rolling in November. Such is the nature of the new world we live in with the transfer portal and collegiate athletics.

One name who is on the way out of town is Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo. Aidoo entered his name into the transfer portal back on April 11, the day after Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka also put his name in the portal.

That's a lot of size and physicality in the paint that Tennessee would be set to lose. However, there's a chance that it could end up being for the benefit of Tennessee's biggest rival on the hardwood.

According to Kentucky Sports Radio, Kentucky has made contact with Aidoo.

NEW: Kentucky has contacted Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo, he tells @PolacheckKSR.

Aidoo averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks during the 2023-24 season.

FREE: https://t.co/qRKwkYBb0y pic.twitter.com/xQjKCgUF4a
— KSR (@KSRonX) April 19, 2024

It goes without saying that would be a development for the worse for Tennessee. Like him or not - and many Vol fans don't seem to after the NCAA Tournament - Aidoo is one of the best rim protectors in the country, averaging 1.8 blocks per game last year while preventing countless more shot attempts. A member of the SEC all-defensive team last year, he's an undeniable force on defense and on the glass.

Aidoo fell out of grace with some UT fans after his performance in the Vols' 72-66 Elite Eight loss to Purdue. He ended up missing several open short and mid-range looks and was completely ineffective on the defensive end against Zach Edey - although the latter issue shouldn't really be one since everyone in the tournament struggled with Edey. Aidoo ended up on the bench in favor of Awaka and even J.P. Estrella for much of the game.

However, Aidoo, who has declared for the NBA Draft but has retained his eligibility, proved over the course of the season that the game against Purdue was more of an outlier than the norm. Whoever picks him up will be getting a player who will make life difficult for their opponents in the paint.

If that ends up being Kentucky, then the Vols' task of giving new head coach Mark Pope a rude welcome to the SEC will have gotten significantly more challenging.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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