Breaking News: Jonas Aidoo is the latest portal loss for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024…see more

The doorway gives and takes away. While the Tennessee Volunteers benefited from the former last year with the addition of Dalton Knecht, the latter has raised its ugly head twice this week.

Center Jonas Aidoo is reportedly accessing the transfer portal and declaring for the NBA Draft, according to several publications. This is the second major key loss this week, as forward Tobe Awaka announced his intention to depart on Tuesday.

There’s no other way to express it. That’s a huge loss for the Vols. Forget the recent bias that some fans have toward Aidoo’s flop in the Elite Eight versus Purdue. Last year, Aidoo was an SEC all-defensive team member and a force in the paint. One of the best rim protectors in college basketball, his offensive game has improved this season, despite still having lots of space for improvement.

Last season, Aidoo averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while playing 24.8 minutes. Since 2022-23, his points per game have more than doubled.

With both of their most physical players in the paint going, Rick Barnes faces a significant challenge in rebuilding and shaping the roster for 2024-25. Former Arizona Wildcat Oumar Ballo, a 7-foot center from Mali, has stated his intention to enter the transfer portal earlier this week. He averaged 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. However, every big program will undoubtedly be lined up for his services, so the Vols will have to wait in line.

But that is the nature of collegiate athletics nowadays. Whether fans like it or not, free agency is in full swing. Players will be

Every summer, they look for what they think to be greater opportunities.

We’ll see if Barnes can use it to secure some solid replacements in the near future. Tennessee has some large shoes to fill right now.