John Calipari’s recent addition to the Arkansas roster could turn out to be one of his most impactful moves. According to CBS Sports sources, Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo committed to the Razorbacks on Monday. Aidoo, who played under Rick Barnes, was one of the top defensive big men in the nation last season. At center, he averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks for the Volunteers, a team that won 27 games, secured a No. 2 seed, and reached the Elite Eight.
Joining Arkansas, Aidoo has the potential to solidify his position as one of the best defenders in the SEC and nationwide. This is Calipari’s first major transfer acquisition since taking over as head coach at Arkansas over three weeks ago. Aidoo ranks 25th on David Cobb’s list of the top 2024 college basketball transfers.
Aidoo, a Durham, North Carolina native, also seriously considered Baylor and UNC. Sources indicate his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal is among the most substantial for big men in this year’s transfer portal. Along with Kentucky transfer Zvonimir Ivišić, he joins the Razorbacks’ roster, alongside three former UK commits who switched to Arkansas: five-star wing Karter Knox, four-star small forward Billy Richmond, and four-star combo guard Boogie Fland. If you want to understand the latest with Arkansas’ team setup, you can find a detailed roster analysis here.
Calipari and his staff are expected to land more notable names in the portal in the coming days. Arkansas has remained an appealing destination even after losing Eric Musselman to USC for two reasons: Calipari’s
track record of recruiting NBA-level talent and Arkansas now claiming one of the deepest NIL war chests in college hoops.
