We add another forward!@jh0_smoove, welcome to #HokieNation 🤝📝 » https://t.co/H5U4tJYYsE#StoneByStone | #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/WcUt9tFd6P— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) April 15, 2021
The Virginia Tech men's basketball team added a Ft. Lauderdale talent today. 6'8" 215-pound SF Jalen Haynes is a Hokie (247 profile here). A former Broward County Class 7A-6A player of the year, Haynes was originally a 2020 recruit who held offers from Boston College, VCU, UCF, USF, Miss St., FGCU, and others. After deciding to reclassify to 2021, he played a post-scholastic year at the outstanding Montverde Academy (s/o Justin Bibbs) where he averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
"Jalen possesses the type of skill and size we are looking for in our program," Young said. "He reminds me of a lot of good players I have had the privilege of coaching in the past and we are excited to bring him to Virginia Tech. Jalen comes from a very good high school program and he has a great understanding of the game of basketball. We are excited for his future as a Hokie."
The Hokies were looking for a player that has the versatility to play either forward spot and Jalen fits that well and can bring a scoring presence from a bigger wing.
As of right now, the Hokies have one scholarship opening remaining for the 2021-22 season.
Comments
Man basketball recruiting is so behind the scenes sometimes. Was this guy on anyone's radar as a VT recruit until he signed today?
He had Mike Young's attention early and, according to Montverde's Twitter account, initially committed to the College of Charleston. Whatever happened next, I'm not sure, but clearly MY was still in touch.
So is this assuming Bede is gone, or does it not include Bede's spot? Because last report I saw said Bede was still undecided about whether he would return for another year as a player.
It doesn't matter whether he comes back or not, his scholarship wouldn't count either way. We have 1 if he comes back and 1 if he doesn't come back
Bede (or any of the other seniors) can return and they won't count against the scholarship cap. Pemsl has announced he's done, Diarra is long gone, leaving just Bede considering his options
Outgoing:
Diarra
Bede **
Pemsl
Bamisile
Cone
Incoming:
1. Pedulla (FR)
2. Haynes (FR)
3. Durr (xfer -JR)
4. Murphy (xfer - SR)
5. - open
20 and 10. 6'8. I like it a lot! Welcome Home Jalen!
6'8 small forward
Size matters, boys
I had so much fun watching Buzz's teams, but I don't miss 6'8 being our tallest on the court.
At the rate we're going, 6'8 might be the shortest on the court next year.
NOTHING wrong with that!
I can't wait to see this team next year. From somebody who never watched basketball growing up, I've learned to like and appreciate some of the nuances of the game by watching this team over the past 7-8 years (plus some hard TKPing).
C: Durr 7-1
PF: Ojiako 6-10
PF: Aluma 6-9
PF: N'Guessan 6-9
SF: Haynes 6-8
We'll still be a little short at guard, where Storm Maddox is 6'0, Radford is 6'2, Cattoor 6'3 and Alleyne 6'4
But good lord are we loading up on some tall guys near the rim. We keep the same energy and athleticism we've shown the last couple years and we are going to be a rebounding machine on both ends of the court.
You mean watching Tech, might be like watching FSU in regards to size?
They might have a few players have to look up for once.
Love it LETS GO!
HOKIES!!!
Lose a Jalen, gain a Jalen
Plus about a foot.
Mike young is definitely doing this wrong, he obviously did not read the rules where it says Hokie bball is not allowed to have tall players