Aidoo's breakout performance means more after injury-riddled season
PROVIDENCE — If Jonas Aidoo didn't put in the kind of performance he did against the Kansas Jayhawks on Thursday night, the Arkansas Razorbacks' season would probably be over.
The fourth-year center who transferred from Tennessee scored a game-high 22 points, hauled in five rebounds, blocked three shots and recorded three steals in the Razorbacks' 79-72 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
On top of that, he held Third Team All-American selection Hunter Dickinson to one of his worst performances of the season. The Jayhawks' center scored just 11 points, all of which came in the first half. Dickinson added nine rebounds and four assists, but he was also charged with four turnovers, which is tied for the second-highest amount he committed all season.
"Just getting to my spots," Aidoo told HawgBeat of the key to his strong night. "Everybody looking for me to get to my spots. I'd tell them where I want the ball at, and they get me the ball and then execute. Practicing with these guys, communicating how we want to play with each other, that's just the best stuff for us."
It hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for Aidoo this season though. It's been well-documented that a foot surgery held Aidoo out of action for roughly four months, and that pain has kept him from showing his true potential for most of the season.
Aidoo said the surgery came after an MRI revealed a stress fracture in his foot in the middle of July 2024. He said the stress fracture had probably been there for a while, but he never noticed the pain until he was at Arkansas.
When he couldn't play in the Hogs' preseason game against Kansas — a game Arkansas also won — the thought entered his mind that he might have to redshirt and miss the season entirely.
RELATED: Aidoo, Davis back up preseason hype in win over Kansas
"(I was) practicing and working and my foot's still hurting and that's when those thoughts started processing in my head," Aidoo said. "I'm probably going to have to redshirt, because I'd never felt that type of pain. I felt like I should have been over this. I'm a pretty tough dude, so I should have overcome that way earlier."
Naturally, Aidoo came to Arkansas because he wanted to make an impact and help his team. So when he learned he was going to have to undergo surgery to repair that stress fracture, he was disappointed.
"I ain't going to lie, I cried a little bit," Aidoo said. "Because I came here with so much to prove. Like, knowing I'm a really good player and I just want to help my team win...transferring (to Arkansas), you just want to go to work and do great, look out for your family, and do good for yourself."
That pain lingered throughout the regular season, which is part of the reason he struggled on the floor. Head coach John Calipari said as late in the season as February that Aidoo still wasn't at 100%. But as he got healthier, his play started to improve.
Fans got a glimpse of Aidoo's full potential in the Razorbacks' home win over Texas on Feb. 26. He finished the game with eight points and four rebounds, and he also hit two clutch free throws in overtime to ice the game. It wasn't a jaw-dropping performance, but the more he played, the more comfortable he got.
Since that game, Aidoo has posted three double-doubles in his last six games, and scored in double figures all but once. He said he still feels some pain in his foot, but he's happy to be a contributing factor for the Razorbacks.
The Hogs are peaking at the right time, but they'll face a tough test on Saturday when they play 2-seed St. John's in the Round of 32. Tipoff for that game is set for 1:40 p.m. CT and the game will air on CBS.
Topics
-
Aidoo, Davis back up preseason hype in win over Kansas
Arkansas' Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis backed up their preseason hype with big-time performances against Kansas.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
VIDEO: Calipari, players postgame - Arkansas 79, Kansas 72
Video of Arkansas' John Calipari, Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis after the Razorbacks' win over Kansas.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Aidoo ready to make impact for Arkansas in Big Dance
Jonas Aidoo has been to the tournament a time or two, and that could be vital if the Hogs want to make a run.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Jon Gray injury: Rangers to open season without injured starter; what it means for Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter
Gray suffered a fractured wrist on Friday after being hit by a line driveCBS Sports - 6d -
What latest polls say about Trump's job performance in 2nd term
Steve Kornacki joins TODAY to breakdown a new NBC News poll on President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, more than 50 days since he was sworn in. His job performance is rated as 47% ...NBC News - 4d -
England fans have waited three seasons for a performance like this demolition of Wales
Stunning, simply stunning. This was without doubt the best performance by England under Steve Borthwick, a statement victory that after three seasons felt like a lift-off moment. It was also the ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Why Wichita NCAA Tournament site means more to Missouri basketball guard Caleb Grill
Missouri basketball standout Caleb Grill is Wichita, Kansas, native, meaning he’ll play in his hometown in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
What Trump's Department of Education dismantle means for the future of AI in schools
The U.S. education ecosystem is seeking ways to counteract diminished federal support through technology and, more specifically, artificial intelligence.CNBC - Mar. 13 -
March Madness veterans power Arkansas basketball, John Calipari past Kansas in first round
John Calipari brought Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis to Arkansas for March. In the first round, the two transfers delivered in an upset win over Kansas.Yahoo Sports - 20h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Pitt 197-Pounder Mac Stout Reflects on Historic Meeting with Brother, Luke
Pitt wrestler Mac Stout reflected upon an emotional victory over his brother, Luke, in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages more than 25 million viewers in Japan, a record audience
Tuesday's first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan according to Major League Baseball, making it the most-watched MLB game in the country's history. The ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Hall of Fame coaches John Calipari, Rick Pitino clash in NCAA Tournament
Saturday's matchup between Arkansas and St. John's will feature plenty of history between John Calipari and Rick Pitino.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Noble boys basketball player Jamier Rose named Gatorade Player of the Year
Mar. 21—Noble senior Jamier Rose was named the Gatorade Maine Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season on Friday. Rose, who early this month was named Mr. Maine Basketball and won ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Elite Pennsylvania athlete has been crystal balled to Notre Dame football
Fresh off a visit to Notre Dame, 2026 Pennsylvania 4-star safety Joey O’Brien has been crystal balled by On3’s Steve Wiltfong to commit to the Irish.Yahoo Sports - 18m
More in Sports
-
Pitt 197-Pounder Mac Stout Reflects on Historic Meeting with Brother, Luke
Pitt wrestler Mac Stout reflected upon an emotional victory over his brother, Luke, in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Virginia to hire Ryan Odom, who once engineered 16-seed upset of No. 1 Cavaliers in NCAA Tournament
Odom has been coaching nearby VCU and has ties to Charlottesville: His father, Dave, was an assistant there in the 1980sCBS Sports - 11m -
Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo averages more than 25 million viewers in Japan, a record audience
Tuesday's first game of the Tokyo Series averaged more than 25 million viewers in Japan according to Major League Baseball, making it the most-watched MLB game in the country's history. The ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
March Madness 2025: Cooper Flagg's explosive return from injury solidifies Duke as NCAA Tournament favorite
Cooper Flagg returned from injury with highlight-reel plays and a strong start to a blowout win for DukeCBS Sports - 12m -
Hall of Fame coaches John Calipari, Rick Pitino clash in NCAA Tournament
Saturday's matchup between Arkansas and St. John's will feature plenty of history between John Calipari and Rick Pitino.Yahoo Sports - 12m