Awaka spent his final two college seasons at Arizona after two years at Tennessee. In the 2024-25 season, he started 36 of 37 games for the Wildcats, then shifted into a reserve role as a senior. He averaged 9.3 points and 9.1 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game off the bench and earned the Big 12’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Despite a modest on-court role, Awaka ranked highly among NCAA leaders, finishing third in total offensive rebounds and eighth in total rebounds.
Physically, Awaka stands 6-foot-8 and plays at the forward/center position. Scouting notes from draft analyses highlighted him as one of the top rebounders in the draft class, though he was considered undersized for the five-spot. Evaluations also pointed to a limited offensive game.
Awaka becomes the Bulls’ first two-way signee of the offseason. Chicago is also expected to finalize a two-way contract with Jaylin Sellers, a guard from Providence, who also entered the draft undrafted.
