BY ZACH SMART
Following a convincing summer as one of the country’s premier traditional big men, Class of 2027 Blair Academy (NJ) big man Kamsi Awaka will be taking an official visit to UConn this weekend.
The news was first reported by League Ready’s Sam Kayser.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Awaka, who prospered as a workmanlike interior scorer and vital rim protection presence for New Heights on the 3SSB circuit, recently whittled his list down to Arizona, UConn, Florida, Michigan and Michigan State.
Arizona was in to see Awaka on Thursday.
Awaka has family ties to the Wildcats, as he is the younger brother of Tobe Awaka, who played an immense role as a rebounding presence during last season’s Final Four berth.
A former New York Gatorade Player of the Year at Cardinal Hayes HS, Tobe Awaka is currently on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls.
After playing a substantial role on a Blair team which won its third consecutive Mid Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) title in 2026, Awaka will backbone Joe Mantegna’s team defensively.
Steering the driving lanes clear and using his length and instincts throughout, Awaka averaged a robust four blocks per game en route to Defensive MVP honors in the 17U All Circuit Honors.
After June graduation claimed Blair’s unparalleled eone of the country’s prized recruits in Brooklyn-bred guard Deron Rippey (now a freshman at Duke) and a shot-making well-built guard in Jaen Chatman (Rhode Island), Blair reloaded in quick-hit fashion.
The traditional national power landed Georgia Tech commit Kamari Whyte, a four star recruit and dazzling 6-foot-3 guard.
A transfer via Vermont Academy, White’s play was essential in leading New Heights to an Adidas 3SSB championship alongside Awaka this summer.
UConn has recruiting momentum rolling in its favor following a commitment from Class of.2027 Navorro Bowman Jr., a heavily pursued West Coast-based five star guard.
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