Why did Arkansas move on from Tennessee?

On January 8, 2025By Littum

Jonas Aidoo played for Tennessee basketball at Arkansas last season. He plays for Arkansas at Tennessee this season.

The former Vols forward returned to Knoxville as a Razorback Saturday following his transfer following a breakout season at Tennessee.

“We obviously have a lot of love and respect for Jonas,” Vols coach Rick Barnes said at the Big Orange Caravan in May in Chattanooga. “We’ve seen him grow in our program. But again, he felt like maybe he wanted to play a different style, a different way.”

No. 1 Vols (13-0) host Arkansas (11-2) on Saturday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Food City Center.

Aidoo averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.6 minutes in his three seasons at Tennessee. The 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in an injury-plagued 2024-25 season.

Jahmai Mashack, who joined Tennessee in the same 2021 recruiting class as Aidoo, said he sees many similarities in the way Aidoo plays at Arkansas. He suggested Arkansas could use Aidoo more in transition and as a lob threat on pick-and-rolls.

“He’s still the same rebounder I’ve seen him be when he was here,” Mashack said. “So nothing that I expect different from him… Going against someone like Jonas will be a great experience.”

Aidoo attempted 15 3-pointers in 36 games with Tennessee last season. He has taken one in 10 games at Arkansas.

Aidoo averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior with the Vols, earning All-SEC honors and landing on the All-SEC Defensive team. He had 66 blocks.

Aidoo entered the transfer portal on April 11 and committed to Arkansas on April 29.

He was one of four outgoing transfers. Guard Freddie Dilione V transferred to Penn State, guard DJ Jefferson went to Longwood and forward Tobe Awaka landed in Arizona. The Vols signed guard Darlinstone Dubar, guard Chaz Lanier, forward Igor Milicic Jr. and forward Felix Okpara.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @By Mike Wilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription which gives you access to it all.