Awaka to the portal

[VolFreakJosh]

No offense to him but this seems like a dumb move unless he’s just homesick.

 

[omghulkhands]

What is the definition of tampering, and is it even relevant? Is he transferring against his own will?

I understand the point you are making but there is nuance.

Tampering won’t be what made Awaka leave IMO.

But it may be what causes him to end up at St. John’s.

So while it has little to do with us, it’s unfair to people following portal player engagement rules.

 

[walkenvol]

Welp - I officially hate the portal era !

 

[first time caller]

Guess he didn't want to be "the man"

 

[Chris4Vols22]

I understand the point you are making but there is nuance.

Tampering won’t be what made Awaka leave IMO.

But it may be what causes him to end up at St. John’s.

So while it has little to do with us, it’s unfair to people following portal player engagement rules.

Oh, is the idea that another school can't "recruit" a current NCAA player that's not in the portal? That would clear it up for me if that's the case.

 

[berryvol]

Talking to a player before he has entered the portal. Incentivizing him to enter the portal. Contact from other teams before a player has entered the portal is supposed to be illegal.

It’s not illegal because… Tennessee nuked the NCAA’s ability to investigate matters of NIL in court, which inadvertently allows tampering and basically any NIL discussions that players want to have with other programs. We can’t bemoan other teams offering our players money when we were all celebrating us conquering the NCAA a few weeks ago.

 

[GBO18]

If this was really between Awaka or Aidoo. Aidoo is the clear choice. Sucks to lose Awaka though.

 

[Just a VolinTears]

Loyalty is all but gone in college basketball. The only allegiance people have now is to money. Sad

 

[movinonup]

This sucks so bad - my favorite player on the team. Wish him only the best - such a joy to watch.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

He would fit in great for Coach Kim’s team. She needs a big who can run.

 

[jp1]

It’s not illegal because… Tennessee nuked the NCAA’s ability to investigate matters of NIL in court, which inadvertently allows tampering and basically any NIL discussions that players want to have with other programs. We can’t bemoan other teams offering our players money when we were all celebrating us conquering the NCAA a few weeks ago.

I dont think the two things are mutual, but if that's how you want to understand the ruling, then I won't stop you.

 

[Weezer]

It’s not illegal because… Tennessee nuked the NCAA’s ability to investigate matters of NIL in court, which inadvertently allows tampering and basically any NIL discussions that players want to have with other programs. We can’t bemoan other teams offering our players money when we were all celebrating us conquering the NCAA a few weeks ago.

It is illegal because the rule against talking to players not in the portal is not NIL related.

 

[Zues1]

Y'all loving the new college landscape?

 

[chadslaughter]

Loyalty is all but gone in college basketball. The only allegiance people have now is to money. Sad

Loyalty is all but gone in college basketball sports. Fixed it for you.

 

[Volnut]

No loyalty

Money talks and BS walks. That’s the world of NIL.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Good luck to Awaka! It sucks to lose him because he was an important piece to a good team this year. CRB will still have some good players to work with even though Tobe is going elsewhere. As always, GBO!!!

 

[omghulkhands]

Oh, is the idea that another school can't "recruit" a current NCAA player that's not in the portal? That would clear it up for me if that's the case.

well, maybe I was wrong and don’t understand your point? Cause this is a confusing response cause I think it’s sarcastic, but I don’t really know why

 

[turbovol]

It would be brutal to lose Awaka as he still has a ton of upside and he's got the size any team needs inside.
The guy is just starting to find his offensive potential.

 

[GBO18]

Y'all loving the new college landscape?

Awaka/Aidoo/Estrella were not going to split minutes next year. Someone was going to get shafted. Can’t blame Awaka for wanting to go somewhere for more minutes.

 

[first time caller]

I think they are going to have to put buy-outs on player contracts like coaches have.

 

[The Vin Man]

It is what it is in today’s college athletics. Awaka stings because of the investment and potential. Hopefully, he’s the last one.

 

[first time caller]

He would fit in great for Coach Kim’s team. She needs a big who can run.

Said Dawn Staley..

 

[TheMookieMonster]

It feels basically impossible to develop true depth in this era of college basketball.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

This one sucks, I’m sad.

 

[Chris4Vols22]

well, maybe I was wrong and don’t understand your point? Cause this is a confusing response cause I think it’s sarcastic, but I don’t really know why

Not sarcasm, just trying to understand how tampering may have been factor. I know my response didn't exactly follow your explanation that I quoted, but what you said made me think of the situation from a different perspective.

I now think the "tampering" people are mentioning is other schools reaching out to our players before they're in the transfer portal. I don't know the rules, but that sounds like it would be a no go, and therefore I can understand the tampering angle. If that's actually allowed, then I'd still be confused.