the Virginia Tech Hokies have added a commitment from Alabama State grad transfer Branden Johnson, a 6-foot-8 inch 205-pound forward hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. The redshirt sophomore averaged 4.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.6 blocks on 16.9 minutes per game this past season. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Redshirted both his freshman and sophomore year at Bama State, will have two years of eligibility (EDIT: Reports are coming out that Johnson only has one year left. He tore his ACL his freshman year and only played 4 minutes his sophomore year. Common sense would dictate he would be eligible for a sixth year if he applied for it but not 100% because NCAA.) and eligible immediately. Per other people, has good defensive chops (think a college version of Taj Gibson). Desperately needed his size. Strong hair game:
Johnson talking about his game:
"Branden Johnson is a non-stop motor guy with unlimited energy, very athletic, physical, hand in your face and defensive. Very vocal," he added.
Comments
Apparently the school website was wrong and he has only one year of eligibility left.
Was at Bama State for four years, used both a redshirt and a medical redshirt his freshman and sophomore year. Will have two years left.
You sure about that? Everything I see says one year.
Link Here
Based on that alone, "technically" has one year left but I would assume be granted another year if he applied for it.
This is good news, but also bad news in the sense that it's more writing on the wall that the coach's already know Blackshear is gone.
Unless he's building frontcourt depth, which we also have not had forever.
Hope its not a call on Blackshear being gone... Young has typically had several bigs on his roster as opposed to Buzz... who didn't seem to think it was necessary. Last year they had 5 guys 6-8 or taller.
Coach's = singular coach possession. The coach's couch.
Coaches = well, coaches.
I'm not saying you're wrong , but boy I'm starting to notice y'all real get real nitpicky during the offseason.
I don't think that's necessarily the case. Even if KJ comes back, right now our backup center would be Horne. Can't be having that
Totally agree. Pure roster management move for bodies in the right class. I don't see this as any indicator for KJ at all.
Anyone else get Shane Henry vibes? Undersized center, mainly there for defense. Basically a capable body to help out with the transition to the new coach as we reload and get his players in
I loved Shane Henry. I guy like Henry last season would have made us legit national title contenders. An energy guy that can give you 10 really good minutes and be a handful on the defensive end.
Not seen this guys tape, but early impressions was a Shane Henry type--and the stats seem to back that up.
Yeah for sure. If I was a coach my ideal backup center would be a Shane Henry type player
Current roster outlook:
On Roster/Commits:
r-Jr Branden Johnson C 6-8 205 - transferred in, eligible immediately
Jr Wabissa Bede G 6-1 195 - portal, stayed
Jr Keve Aluma F 6-9 230 - transferred in, sitting 1 year
Jr PJ Horne F 6-5 230
r-Fr/So Landers Nolley G/F 6-7 230 - portal, stayed
So Jonathan Kabongo G 6-4 195
So Isaiah Wilkins G 6-3 230
r-Fr Tyrece Radford G 6-2 195 - possible walk-on
r-Fr Brendan Palmer G 6-3 190 - possible walk-on
Fr Hunter Cattoor G 6-2 185 - CMY commit
Fr Jalen Cone G 5-11 163 - reclassified
Could Return from Portal:
r-Sr KBJ F 6-10 250
If I'm not mistaken Aluma has a waiver pending, correct?
I have heard that, but cannot confirm
Nice to see I have such a great following around the program. Can't wait for Alumb and Alumc to make their way in as well!
this is so dumb I just had to upvote it
A plug for the dyke?
pro-tip do not google plug for the dyke on a work computer
All I got was a bunch of pictures of cucumbers. Now I want some.
I think we have a thread for that
The portal giveth and the portal taketh away. Praise portal!
"eligible immediately" Wow. What are two words that are rarely associated with VT basketball!
Indefinitely suspended?
Healthy feet
Big Man?
At-Large Bid