Arizona’s Tobe Awaka is one of one. He just is.
You’d be hard pressed to find someone who has played in an Arizona uniform like him before. Sure, you have similarities, but nothing that really – REALLY! – comes close.
He’s a beast. See ball, get ball … a rebounding machine.
“Honestly, it’s just do whatever I can do to help the team win at the end of the day,” Awaka said after Saturday night’s 68-45 win over San Diego State in Phoenix. No. 1 Arizona is now 11-0. “If it’s scoring 15, if it’s getting 15 rebounds, so be it. Five blocks, whatever.”
His numbers were almost that: 15 rebounds, nine points and one aggravated opponent in as much as Awaka had six offensive rebounds to lead both teams. Arizona had 20 offensive boards overall, breaking the game open in the second half.
“He’s dynamic,” SDSU coach Brian Dutcher said. “This is the only team in the country where you actually hope they make their free throws. How does that sound.”
Insane, actually. But he was sincere given UA grab-happy rebounding.
“You hope that it goes in because if they make one and miss the second, they’re going to get 60 percent of those (misses) and get a three-point play … they’re dynamic rebounding.”
Oh, by the way, Mo Krivas had 13 rebounds to help UA finish with 52 total. The Aztecs had 28 total.
Arizona’s one-two punch was too much. Krivas, too, looked impressive, but Awaka? Wow.
Paint by numbers? Hell, he owned the paint. I’m still trying to figure out if he’s a tight end playing a power forward spot or a power forward who should be a tight end. He’s 6-foot-8, 255 – at least that’s what he’s listed at.
He’s Arizona’s bookwork bruiser.
Arizona has had players kind of like him, right? Just different, or shades of Awaka.
Michael Wright, a powerful inside player who used his left hand to perfection.
Ben Davis had a similar build and was aggressive near the basket.
Gene Edgerson, who was aggressive attacking the glass.
Pete Williams, Arizona’s cornerstone of the early Lute Olson days, who never met a rebound he didn’t like.
“I love him,” said former UA All-American Bob Elliott, who played in the 1970s. “His raw strength reminds me of Phil Taylor. The way he attacks the rebound is like Pete Williams or Al Fleming.”
“Love what he brings to the table,” said Williams, who was at Saturday’s game. “…he’s relentless on the boards, and his attitude and demeanor on and off the court are specia. He’s all about the team and I bet his teammates love him.”
As for as the comparison, well, “he’s bigger and stronger than me, more physically imposing – I relied on my quickness and athleticism to battle big guys, Awaka can go toe to toe with any post player in the country … he’s fun to watch.”
Saturday, was one of those nights. He was teaching a masterclass in rebounding.
“If people aren’t paying attention, I don’t know what to tell them,” Tommy Lloyd said. “It was amazing what he did. To be honest with you, the only guy I can compare him with, with just how he impacts a game with effort and toughness, is (former Gonzaga great) Domas Sabonis, an NBA All-Star.
“Tobe’s putting himself on people’s radar with just the force he’s playing with and how much better he’s gotten. It’s crazy impressive. And you know what, I’m going to give credit to Big Mo, too. Big Mo, he was always kind of an offensive-minded player. An offseason project was kind of trying to rewire him. He (only took) one shot (Saturday), they were double-teaming him. He had a couple of turnovers I’m sure he’s not happy about, but he has 13 rebounds, and he impacts the game defensively. He draws five fouls. Those two, the combination of those two, man, I’m telling you.”
No need to say anymore.
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