KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo is entering the transfer portal and also declaring for the NBA Draft.
Aidoo posted the news to his Instagram on Friday after WBIR was told by a source he was intending to enter the transfer portal on Thursday.
Aidoo was a first-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press and a second-team All-SEC selection by the coaches this past season. He was also on the SEC All-Defensive team.
Aidoo started all 36 games for the Vols this season. He averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
His best game of the season came against Georgia Southern when he went for 29 points and 11 rebounds.
"A big thanks to Coach Barnes and the entire academic and athletic staff at the University of Tennessee,” Aidoo wrote in part. “I would also like to thank my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for all your support throughout my career. It’s been an honor to put on a Tennessee uniform each and every game and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, nor be in this position today without everyone’s love and belief in me as a player.”
The forward played his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons at UT.
Aidoo is the first player in the Vols' 2023-24 starting lineup to enter the transfer portal, leaving just Zakai Zeigler left as players who were consistent starters for the Vols that will be back next season.
Head coach Rick Barnes had frequently commented on Aidoo's consistency being a big factor and said he Aidoo could be one of the best big men in the country if he delivered his best performances every game.
In Tennessee's final two NCAA Tournament games this season, Aidoo played just 27 total minutes and went 2-12 from the floor with six total rebounds over the two contests. He scored four points in the Sweet 16 win against Creighton and followed that up with no points against Purdue in the Elite 8.
