Tennessee basketball: Elite 2021 C Jonas Aidoo commits to Vols

Rick Barnes’ decision to hire Justin Gainey as his new assistant coach has paid off immediately. Two days after the move, Tennessee basketball received a commitment from elite 2021 North Carolina center Jonas Aidoo.

A four-star across all recruiting services out of Liberty Heights Athletic Instituted in Charlotte, N.C., Aidoo stands between 6’11” and 7’0″ while weighing somewhere between 205 and 215 pounds. He is the fourth commitment in UT’s 2021 class and third with at least a four-star rating.

Aidoo was initially committed to the Marquette Golden Eagles, where Gainey had previously been an assistant. However, he decommitted on March 30, just as Marquette fired head coach Steve Wojciechowski. He announced his commitment to Tennessee basketball on Twitter.

Although he is a bit thin for his height, Aidoo is a finesse center who does have natural athleticism. UT doesn’t have anybody with his size on its roster who is a purely finesse player, which makes him a valuable pickup. Here is a look at his highlight reel.

Note: Although the video says Marquette commit, this video was done before he decommitted and chose Rocky Top.

As you can see, while Aidoo is a finesse player, he is clearly willing to play aggressive when under the basket. If he can get stronger, he could become one of the most unstoppable forces in the SEC. That should be his focus early on.

With Aidoo’s commitment, the Vols have finally filled out all of their needs amidst an offseason of turmoil. Jaden Springer, Keon Johnson and Yves Pons leaving for the NBA, Corey Walker Jr., E.J. Anosike, Drew Pember and Davonte Gaines transferring and questions about John Fulkerson’s future al plagued this team.

Rocky Top did return three key rotational guards in Josiah-Jordan James, Victor Bailey Jr. and Santiago Vescovi. Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic are two frontcourt players returning and expected to take another step forward next year.

Meanwhile, Auburn Tigers transfer guard Justin Powell, an elite 6’6″ three-point shooting specialist, also joined the team, and Barnes added five-star point guard Kennedy Chandler and three-star two-guard Quentin Diboundje Eyobo on the recruiting trail. That was enough to go two-deep at the three backcourt positions.

However, Tennessee basketball was still thin in the post with Plavsic and Nkamhoua the only two sure players back and Barnes missing out on Furman Paladins transfer forward Noah Gurley, who joined the Alabama Crimson Tide, and North Carolina Tar Heels transfer forward Walker Kessler, who joined the Auburn Tigers. Adding Aidoo helps to offset that.

Given the fact that 6’5″ four-star Jahami Mashack committed as a forward, Barnes now has four scholarship players who can play the two post spots in Mashack, Nkamhoua, Aidoo and Plavsic, and that’s without Fulkerson making any decision. He could return.

Either way, though, Tennessee basketball is now complete with Aidoo’s addition. It helps that they have two guys 6’11” or taller and multiple three-point shooting specialists. Sure, they lost some key talent, but next year’s roster could be as deep and more experienced.