'22 NY PF Tobe Awaka (Tennessee commit)

[wmcovol]

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There are several other big guys who reclassified & it’s not worked out.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

so is he reclassing back?

He will be a part of the 2022 class

 

[SJAVol32]

Moves really really well for his size

 

[walkenvol]

Physically he looks similar to ON - is that a good comparison?

 

[johnfnkelly]

Moves really really well for his size

Plays like PJ Washington

He’s going to be a stud

 

[SJAVol32]

Physically he looks similar to ON - is that a good comparison?

I would say so. He actually looks more solid than ON currently but will get a better feel when they’re side by side.

 

[cncchris33]

There’s probably not a height to maturity correlation, but asking any 17 year old to jump to college after their junior year is a risk. Awaka is by every account a mature kid who is a great team player.

Is his case like ZZ in which he is actually reclassifying back to his original class? In other words, would 2022-23 have been a prep year for him had he not enrolled in college?

 

[cncchris33]

I would say so. He actually looks more solid than ON currently but will get a better feel when they’re side by side.

He already looks more aggressive as a rebounder than ON.

 

[walkenvol]

Is his case like ZZ in which he is actually reclassifying back to his original class? In other words, would 2022-23 have been a prep year for him had he not enrolled in college?

Everything I found has him listed as a 2022 hs senior? New York Gatorade POY and an “A” student. Tobe Awaka 2021 - 2022 NEW YORK BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

 

[cncchris33]

Everything I found has him listed as a 2022 hs senior? New York Gatorade POY and an “A” student. Tobe Awaka 2021 - 2022 NEW YORK BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

In his commitment comments, he refers to himself as a 2023 commit, though. It seems as if he was taking a year to prep in hopes of landing more offers, like ZZ had planned to do.

 

[VOLED]

This guy can handle the ball and get his shot. Plays with leverage, also. Let's get him!!

 

[walkenvol]

This guy can handle the ball and get his shot. Plays with leverage, also. Let's get him!!

Think we already got him

 

[VOLED]

Think we already got him

I missed that. Thanks.

 

[walkenvol]

In his commitment comments, he refers to himself as a 2023 commit, though. It seems as if he was taking a year to prep in hopes of landing more offers, like ZZ had planned to do.

Guess we’ll have to see when they add his profile on the UT site?

 

[cardvolfan]

He already looks more aggressive as a rebounder than ON.

@cncchris33 I’m thinking a very good comp to Tshiebwe. I think he has a great motor and desire. In addition, the kid is highly intelligent and well-grounded. I think we just sneaked another through the back door.

 

[feathersax]

Don't sleep on this one.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

#TshiebweFearsAwaka

 

[walkenvol]

Don't sleep on this one.

This is VN where every new recruit is going to be all- SEC till they transfer

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

This is VN where every new recruit is going to be all- SEC till they transfer

My only observation from watching one game is that he was a rebounding monster vs equal/taller guys.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

@cncchris33 I’m thinking a very good comp to Tshiebwe. I think he has a great motor and desire. In addition, the kid is highly intelligent and well-grounded. I think we just sneaked another through the back door.

HA

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

In his commitment comments, he refers to himself as a 2023 commit, though. It seems as if he was taking a year to prep in hopes of landing more offers, like ZZ had planned to do.

I can’t say with high level of confidence which class he’s in, looking at the info. You may be right that this would be HS/Prep year five.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

@cncchris33 I’m thinking a very good comp to Tshiebwe. I think he has a great motor and desire. In addition, the kid is highly intelligent and well-grounded. I think we just sneaked another through the back door.

Let's not toss around comparisons to a National Player of the Year. I feel like that is going to set unrealistic expectations for the kid. I'm excited for him and think he'll be a nice piece in 2 years, but I highly doubt he ever reaches NPOY status. That's an echelon reserved for a select few.

 

[cardvolfan]

Let's not toss around comparisons to a National Player of the Year. I feel like that is going to set unrealistic expectations for the kid. I'm excited for him and think he'll be a nice piece in 2 years, but I highly doubt he ever reaches NPOY status. That's an echelon reserved for a select few.

Ummm, I didn’t say he was going to be POY. Where did I say that? I made comments talking about the way he plays in a way that seems similar to Tshiebwe. Your extrapolation process is a bit skewed.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Ummm, I didn’t say he was going to be POY. Where did I say that? I made comments talking about the way he plays in a way that seems similar to Tshiebwe. Your extrapolation process is a bit skewed.

Fair enough. My bad. I just know many will hear "He reminds me of Tshiebwe" and then when he doesn't get 20 rebounds a game get upset. He does seem to rebound with an aggression that this team needs, so I'll be interested to see if that translates.

 

[Special Ed]

"This past year, Awaka was the New York Player of the Year. He averaged 19.2 points and 13.9 rebounds in high school ball. Also, Awaka is a member of the New York Lightning AAU team, which produced Zeigler."

“Tobe Awaka is a tremendous talent. No other team in the league has a weapon like him. He’s big, strong, physical and great around the basket. He’s effective from the perimeter too. Defensively, he rebounds everything and is a major presence as a rim protector.”

Me likey.