JP Estrella adjusts to college physicality by facing Tobe Awaka in practice

Adjusting to a new town, difficult classes and living on your own has proved difficult for college kids for generations. When combining the task of playing college basketball at the highest level, the situation only gets tougher.

For Tennessee basketball freshman JP Estrella, he has dominated at the high school level before arriving in Knoxville. As a junior, he claimed the Maine Class AA state title while averaging 20.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game.

As a four-star recruit and fifth ranked center in the 2023 class by Rivals.com, Estrella is now pit against other players of his same skillset while practicing with the Vols. This includes sophomore Tobe Awaka who is seemingly 6-foot-8 of pure muscle and a rebounding machine.

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Although it take time to get used to the physicality Awaka brings to practice, Estrella is confident that it will help him long term.

"Well, I think he probably has some nightmares at night," said coach Rick Barnes on the matchup. "...(Josiah-Jordan James) and all of those guys would tell you, it's hard. That's what (Awaka) does. He's got a great knack for (rebounding). He's got to turn that into when he shoots it himself. He's a guy, that's what he does. It's a talent. It's something that's God given."

In Estrella's opinion, Awaka is the best rebounder in the country.

Last year, he averaged 3.8 boards per game in just over 10 minutes of action a night. This translated to his tenure with Team USA in the 2023 FIBA Men's U19 World Cup over the summer where he totaled 10.6 rebounds per game.

"It's going to get me prepared because he's the best rebounder in the country," said Estrella. "If I can deal with Tobe (Awaka), I believe I can deal with anybody. It was rough the first couple weeks. Started to adjust a little bit. Still adjusting right now. It's been fun. Hard. I've been loving it so far. It's been great."

One way Estrella has begun to adjust is putting on weight after grinding in the weight room. With Garrett Medenwall available to help Estrella's body develop, the lean freshman is already beginning to make improvements.

This has been Estrella's biggest area of focus since showing up on campus. He wants to ensure he is ready for the speed and physicality of SEC basketball.

"I think I've gained some weight since I've been here," said Estrella. "I've been in the weight room a lot with (Medenwall). Really just trying to get stronger... Just getting my body ready. Speed ready and everything related to that.

"Really my biggest focus was locking in. Adjusting to the speed and physicality of college basketball compared to high school. I knew it was going to be a lot different. A lot stronger, faster dudes out there. So it was adjusting and playing fast, playing hard. Just giving 100% throughout all of practice."

With playtime available at the forward position due to the departure of transfer Chris Ledlum and last year's post players Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic moving on from the Vols' program, Estrella will have a chance to make an immediate impact.

For this to happen, though, he will need to prove himself a worthy defender in the post. Barnes has shown in the past that he isn't willing to give playtime to players who haven't displayed the ability to defend.

After all, Tennessee is consistently one of, if not the best, defensive teams in the country. A weak link could lower defensive efficiency numbers and lead to losses.

"I'm still growing defensively," said Estrella. "I'm still trying to learn gap, drop, everything like that. That's really been my main focus right now is defense. Blocking shots, rebounding the ball, boxing out, the main aspects. Mostly I think right now it's position wise. I got to know my spots and keep growing, keep learning each spot. Trying to master that throughout the time I'm here."

Estrella will have a handful of months to continue to improve before Tennessee begins its season. The Vols' will open the campaign on Nov. 6 against Tennessee Tech as they attempt to put together another successful year.

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