Tennessee basketball is producing more NBA talent after a strong 2025-26 season resulted in a third-straight Elite Eight appearance. In the first round, the Vols saw Nate Ament go 13th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks. In the second round, Ja’Kobi Gillespie went at No. 42 to the San Antonio Spurs, and Felix Okpara went at No. 46 to the Washington Wizards.
Tennessee is also seeing former talent that left through the transfer portal go pro, though. First, Cameron Carr, who left for Baylor, was picked 24th overall and is headed to the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, forward Tobe Awaka is beginning his pro career. He was signed by the Chicago Bulls on a two-way deal as an undrafted free agent, despite getting buzz as a projected second-round pick heading into the day.
This comes after an extremely successful senior year for Awaka at Arizona. He was an honorable mention All-Big 12 member and the Big 12 Six Man of the Year. He posted averages of 9.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.6 blocks per game over 39 appearances and three starts. He shot 58.7% from the field and 5-for-12 on threes.
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This was Awaka’s second year with Arizona after leaving Tennessee. As a junior, he was a starter and averaged 8.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 64.6% shooting from the field. He played in 37 games and started each but one.
At Tennessee, he was a key piece off the bench. On the 2023-24 squad that broke through to the Elite Eight, he played in 35 games for an average of 13.1 minutes per game. He averaged 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 59.1% shooting. As a freshman, Awaka played in 34 games for 10.3 minutes per outing while posting 3.2 points and 3.8 rebounds.
The 6-foot-8 forward is from the Bronx, New York, where he played for Cardinal Hayes. According to 247, he was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 134 player in the cycle and No. 21 center.
