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Tobe Awaka's collegiate path to the NBA started in Knoxville.
It'll continue after the Chicago Bulls signed the 6-foot-8 forward to a two-way contract after he was not selected in the 2026 NBA Draft.
His path to earning minutes in college centered around three traits: rebounding, defense and energy.
Before Awaka finished his college career at Arizona, he spent his first two seasons with the Vols under coach Rick Barnes before transferring. He wasn't close to being featured frontcourt option.
Forward Jonas Aidoo started, and the Vols leaned on Dalton Knecht, Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi to shoulder the workload offensively.
He made the most of his minutes as a player who aggressively attacked second chance opportunities.
As a sophomore during the 2023-24 season, Awaka averaged 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 13.1 minutes. He ranked second on the team in offensive rebounds despite coming off the bench.
Awaka had some of his best moments late in his Tennessee career. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds against Missouri on Feb. 20, 2024. He added 10 points, five rebounds and a block in Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament win against Texas.
Barnes saw flashes of what he could be when recruiting him.
"I start watching him and all I know is he went after every rebound,” Barnes told Knox News in 2023 recalling Awaka's first AAU game.
He'll get a chance to show his energy in Summer League and against No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson, recent Bulls trade acquisition Nic Claxton and veterans Jalen Smith and Nick Richards in training camp.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Bulls sign Tobe Awaka, who started college career at Tennessee, on two-way deal
Continue reading...
It'll continue after the Chicago Bulls signed the 6-foot-8 forward to a two-way contract after he was not selected in the 2026 NBA Draft.
His path to earning minutes in college centered around three traits: rebounding, defense and energy.
Before Awaka finished his college career at Arizona, he spent his first two seasons with the Vols under coach Rick Barnes before transferring. He wasn't close to being featured frontcourt option.
Forward Jonas Aidoo started, and the Vols leaned on Dalton Knecht, Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi to shoulder the workload offensively.
He made the most of his minutes as a player who aggressively attacked second chance opportunities.
As a sophomore during the 2023-24 season, Awaka averaged 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 13.1 minutes. He ranked second on the team in offensive rebounds despite coming off the bench.
Awaka had some of his best moments late in his Tennessee career. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds against Missouri on Feb. 20, 2024. He added 10 points, five rebounds and a block in Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament win against Texas.
Barnes saw flashes of what he could be when recruiting him.
"I start watching him and all I know is he went after every rebound,” Barnes told Knox News in 2023 recalling Awaka's first AAU game.
He'll get a chance to show his energy in Summer League and against No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson, recent Bulls trade acquisition Nic Claxton and veterans Jalen Smith and Nick Richards in training camp.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Bulls sign Tobe Awaka, who started college career at Tennessee, on two-way deal
Continue reading...
