Arizona’s Red-Blue showcase is getting another marquee visitor, and this one comes with a familiar last name.
Kamsi Awaka, a 6-foot-10, 4-star center in the 2027 class and the younger brother of Tobe Awaka, is scheduled to take an official visit to Tucson on Sep. 25-26. He’ll be on hand for Arizona’s event alongside 5-star guard Adan Diggs and 5-star center Darius Wabbington.
Awaka told Joe Tipton of On3 that he has official visits lined up to Michigan State, Michigan, and Arizona. Those three schools are part of his top five, which also includes UConn and Florida.
After completing official visits to UConn and Florida, 4⭐️ Kamsi Awaka has scheduled official visits to Michigan State, Michigan, and Arizona, he told @Rivals. The 6-10 center is the No. 31 overall prospect in the 2027 class, per Rivals. Visits dates: https://t.co/SEDUGLnfgv https://t.co/dICNgw1ceA pic.twitter.com/579mqrTfVq
Awaka plays at Blair Academy in New Jersey and brings a bruising style to the paint. He’s ranked No. 41 by 247Sports, No. 59 by ESPN, and No. 31 by Rivals in its updated rankings from last week.
The profile is pretty clear: a strong, physical big with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, a high motor, and the kind of upper-body strength that makes life miserable for opponents around the rim. Like his brother, he plays with real force.
Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports projects Awaka as a day one contributor on the glass and as a screener, while also pointing to his timing as a shot blocker and his ability to cover ground defensively.
On the Adidas 3SSB summer circuit, Awaka averaged 15 points on 57% shooting, plus 3.9 offensive rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. He isn’t viewed as a primary scoring threat, and he doesn’t need the ball on the block to make an impact, though his 57% free throw shooting on six attempts is an area that could use work.
Arizona had hoped to bring three elite prospects to Tucson for the Red-Blue scrimmage later this month, but the group changed after 5-star guard NaVorro Bowman Jr committed to UConn following his official visit last weekend.
That opened the door for Awaka to take Bowman’s spot.
Diggs remains the headliner, sitting at No. 6 in the 2027 class, while Wabbington, a mobile big from Phoenix, has been on Arizona’s radar for more than a year.
Awaka may not carry the same national buzz as Diggs or Wabbington, but Arizona clearly sees the appeal. Tommy Lloyd has a track record of getting the most out of physical, low-touch bigs, and the family tie only strengthens the Wildcats’ case.
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