By ZACH SMART
Possessing size, strength, and an adeptness for finishing through contact, Class of 2027 Blair Academy (NJ) Center Kamsi Awaka is starting to blossom.
Awaka has been offered by UConn and Arizona this week.
A traditional post player with a catch and dunk presence and a growing back to the rim arsenal, Awaka is flushed into a prominent role for a heavily anticipated senior season.
“He has made huge gains this season,” said Blair Academy head coach Joe Mantegna.
“Literally, the physically strongest guy I’ve ever coached here. And now that he’s understanding angles and playing with more physicality, he’s becoming dominant. As you know with human nature once you learn how to dominate, then you always want to dominate.”
Awaka, of course, is the younger brother of former Cardinal Hayes (NY) star Tobe Awaka.
The former New York Gatorade Player of the Year, Awaka was a vital interior role player during Arizona’s 2026 Final Four run.
On a Wildcats team which piled up a 36-3 record, Tobe Awaka averaged 9.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. He authored efficiency from the field, shooting it at a staggering 58.7 percent clip.
UConn has featured a frontline emblematic of the physicality of the Big East conference.
This past year, the Huskies were led upfront by Tarris Reed, a 6-foot-11 and 265-pound behemoth who averaged 14.7 points and 9.1 boards for a team which garnered a national title game berth.
He turned in a wowing, 31-point and 27-rebound performance during an 82-71 victory over Furman in the East Region First Round.
Playing for New Heights on the 3SSB circuit, Kamsi Awaka’s shot-blocking aptitude has backboned the team’s defensive play. Awaka was recently named Defensive MVP of Session II, as he averaged 4.3 blocks.
He averaged 16 points and 5.5 boards as New Heights reeled off four consecutive wins.
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