Jonas Aidoo has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and is eligible for the April 11 NBA Draft. Since then, he has been in talks with multiple schools about incorporating his talents into their programs. There's a chance the Tennessee basketball forward could return to Rocky Top, but Baylor appears to be the favorite to acquire him following 247Sports' Crystal Ball.
Aidoo made a big splash in his junior season last year, becoming Tennessee's dominant force in the paint. He was a big man for the Vols, a game changer in many games, and a big reason why the Vols were able to win the SEC Championship.
He averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 51.5 percent from the field. His production dipped a bit during the NCAA Tournament, but that didn't take away from the player he was for Tennessee this year. That's why he earned All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team last season.
Three teams are currently working hard to secure Aidoo's commitment. Two of the three teams are rivals of the Vols and border the Volunteer State, which includes an SEC rival. Aidoo is also considered for the NBA draft and is expected to play at the professional level.
North Carolina State was one of the first teams to start recruiting Aidoo, a native of Durham, North Carolina. Aidoo almost became a Tar Heel coming out of college, but chose Tennessee instead. Going home seems like an easy answer, but in the world of NIL, anything is possible.
The University of Kentucky's new coaching staff also reached out to Aidoo. The Wildcats lost a number of high school graduates and current players entering the portal after John Calipari left for Arkansas. New Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is looking to make a quick splash in the transfer portal by entering the SEC in search of portal talent.
North Carolina and Kentucky could be options for the former Tennessee forward, but Baylor appears to have an edge over both programs. Aidoo visited Baylor on Saturday, marking his first official visit to the school since entering the portal.
Baylor is an interesting landing spot for Aidoo, and perhaps a surprise to many Tennessee fans. The Bears finished the 2023-24 season with a 24-11 record, ranking third in the Big 12 behind Houston and Iowa State. They also reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but were eliminated by Clemson.
The addition of Aidoo also gives the Bears a fourth forward in the 2024 class. Baylor head coach Scott Drew is clearly looking to add more numbers to next year's roster through traditional recruiting and transfer portal recruitment.
Baylor added Giannis Njonga as a JUCO transfer, but he is currently the only senior at forward. Aidoo will be a huge addition to the Bears, serving as an immediate starter and mentor to several young big men on the roster.
The Bears also signed VJ Edgecomb out of high school. The five-star guard is the highest-rated basketball recruit in program history and will likely be an immediate hit for Baylor. Aidoo has already visited Baylor, but he will have to figure out whether to commit to the Bears or continue negotiations with other teams.