Awaka to the portal

#107
#107
Rocky Top T said:
I like him better than Aidoo! Hate to lose him
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Posted this in another thread but... I think the fact that Awaka mentioned in an interview that his parents haven’t come to Knoxville from NY to watch him play in the 2 years he was here is probably something that weighed into his decision.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up going to a basketball program closer to home, like St. Johns.
 
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#109
#109
Unconditional Surrender said:
Stoerner Fumbles said it was about NIL money. For a guy who will probably never earn more than in college, it’s very understandable
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Yes it is. People in here are ridiculous acting like they wouldn't go somewhere else to get paid more.

Also they're ridiculous and hypocritical complaining about the transfer portal when we poached an All-American from there. It works both ways. Yeah it sucks losing guys, but at the same time it's nice to get guys from there too.
 
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#111
#111
Unconditional Surrender said:
Stoerner Fumbles said it was about NIL money. For a guy who will probably never earn more than in college, it’s very understandable
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Makes sense from that angle, even though it certainly doesn't make things easier for those of us with orange in our blood. Still hasn't quite sunk in to me that this is now the world we operate in.

Would be very interested in seeing the landscape we are working with in regard to NIL and spend. How that translates to what we can give to transfers versus those already in the system, how it's doled out, etc.
 
#112
#112
It is an upside play by the coaching staff. Estrella has a much higher ceiling on offense. He can probably defend the rim just as well as Awaka. The obvious thing that he will not do as well as Awaka is rebound. I am not sure there is another discernable skill that Awaka has that Estrella is not likely to surpass. Awaka is simply an example of a player that has one elite skill and plays the game the way you want to see it played but has deficiencies that are unlikely to improve markedly. Awaka realized that and will look to find a school that has more opportunity for minutes (and NIL$). And because of how he conducts himself every UT fan should pull hard for him to find success. There is no doubt that he will be successful off the court just as much as he will be on the court.
 
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#113
#113
tev.sm said:
Posted this in another thread but... I think the fact that Awaka mentioned in an interview that his parents haven’t come to Knoxville from NY to watch him play in the 2 years he was here is probably something that weighed into his decision.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up going to a basketball program closer to home, like St. Johns.
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Wow that’s sad. I wonder why
 
#114
#114
Good luck to Awaka
Hardly even knew ye with all those fouls
 
#115
#115
Do either Estrella or Phillips have an outside shot? They played so seldom I can't recall ever seeing them hit a shot beyond a few feet. It's obvious after 2 years that Awaka couldn't step out and hit at least a short jumper - something you have to have from a PF.
 
#118
#118
Weezer said:
tenor.gif
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I laughed although I've seen that gif 100 times. For some reason I thought for a second that was really you.
 
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#119
#119
Just a VolinTears said:
Loyalty is all but gone in college basketball. The only allegiance people have now is to money. Sad
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Hopefully you and some other posters keep that same thought we land some guys in the transfer portal. Wonder if Knecht should have stayed loyal to Northern Colorado instead of coming here and being our highest NIL player?
 
#122
#122
Aidoo’s choice and Awaka’s choice are wholly independent of one another. We are not out of the woods with Aidoo. He took the end of the season and Purdue loss very hard and has been light on communication. There was growing optimism in the program that Awaka might stay, but Jonas’ quiet has been read with trepidation. I really hope we don’t lose any more core players. I’ll be sweating til five a lot, and mildly worried after. Awaka and ZZ were the fire on the team, but Jonas is an easier fit in the offense. Let’s hope he stays.
 
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