Volunteer Country

Vols Land Power Forward Out of the Bronx

Vols Basketball Lands Power Forward Tobe Awaka Out of the Bronx

Jack Foster

Tennessee basketball has landed another commitment this offseason with the addition of 2023 power forward Tobe Awaka. Awaka announced his commitment to the Volunteers via Instagram on Tuesday morning. 

Awaka is not ranked in 247's composite rankings, but he held multiple offers, choosing Tennessee over Maryland, St. Johns, Pitt and others. Awaka received an offer from the Vols last month and officially visited Tennessee this past weekend, quickly deciding to commit a couple days later. 

While Awaka is a 2023 recruit, there is a chance he reclassifies to the 2022 class and plays on Rocky Top this fall, which would follow the same path fellow New York Tennessee commit Zakai Zeigler did last year. 

And the similarities between Awaka and the Vols' spark plug don't stop at hailing from the same state. Awaka plays for the AAU program the New York Lightning, just like Zeigler did in his high school days. In addition, Awaka has excelled while flying under the radar as a prep, producing 19.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and three blocks a game as a junior at Cardinal Hayes High School, earning New York Gatorade Player of the Year. 

If Awaka reclassifies like Zeigler, the 6-8, 240-pound post player will join Indiana State transfer guard Tyreke Key, Knoxville Catholic 2022 four-star point guard B.J. Edwards and Link Academy 2022 five-star PF Julian Phillips as pieces to Tennessee's 2022 recruiting class. Tennessee will have two scholarship spots to fill in the 2022 class if Awaka reclassifies. 

Photo Credit: Peter Carr

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Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.