Just speculating based on what I've gathered: Tobe was a virtual nobody when he arrived. He had a promising freshman season. But nothing to the level of us giving him lifechanging NIL money either season.
This year for most of the season he was firmly on the bench. He wasn't playing much - though in large part to his foul troubles. Towards the end of the season and during the NCAA tournament (after he'd already bee contacted by a couple schools) he played his best basketball by far of his career. Important points and rebounds when Aidoo crumbled under the pressure.
So what I suspect is that his play justified - to a lot of suitors - that he's worth a bigger price tag. He's also supposedly been lamenting distance from home and being away from his family in New York. We have a lot of checks to write this offseason and I just think we weren't willing to pay him what he needed to stay versus the opportunity to make great money, be in a starting lineup, and be closer to home.
And by his statement is sounds like he really will miss Knoxville, the team, and Vol Nation but it was just the move he needed to make for himself. I don't think its the wrong decision or that we messed up. Just iss what it is.
Home Free!
