Breaking: Another Top Vols Star Transfer To Another Top SEC Team

Tennessee star Jonas Aidoo transfers to the Razorbacks, marking John Calipari’s first major splash in the Arkansas portal.
The former big man for the Volunteers is assisting Calipari at Fayetteville in assembling a strong front line.
John Calipari’s most recent work at Arkansas may wind up being one of his most significant. On Monday, CBS Sports was informed by sources that Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo had committed to the Razorbacks. Playing for Rick Barnes last season, Aidoo was among the nation’s greatest defensive big men. Center Aidoo led a 27-win Volunteers team that finished as a No. 2 seed and advanced to the Elite Eight, averaging 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.

Aidoo has the opportunity to further solidify his standing as one of the top players in the SEC and country at Arkansas. Since accepting the job in Arkansas more than three weeks ago, Calipari has experienced his first significant portal pickup. On David Cobb’s list of the top collegiate basketball transfers for 2024, Aidoo comes in at number 25.

The native of Durham, North Carolina, Aidoo also gave UNC and Baylor substantial consideration. According to sources, he had one of the highest NIL prices of any large man in this year’s portal cycle. He joins Zvonimir Ivišić, a transfer from Kentucky, and three other former UK pledges, Karter Knox (a five-star wing), Billy Richmond (a four-star small forward), and Boogie Fland (a four-star combo guard), who switched to Arkansas to follow Calipari. (View the most recent roster analysis for Arkansas here.)

In the upcoming days, Calipari and his team should anticipate to add additional well-known names to the platform. Despite losing Eric Musselman to USC, Arkansas has remained a desirable destination because of two factors: Calipari’s history of attracting NBA-caliber players, and Arkansas currently has one of the largest NIL war chests in college basketball.

All college basketball players’ access to the transfer portal ends on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Gamers are allowed to choose where they want to play next during the next weeks or months.