Whole bunch of offers for 2022 just went out in the last week, so please discuss and share any Virginia Tech related basketball recruiting topics starting Summer 2020 that don't warrant their own thread. Please do some digging to share original content (e.g. embed the original tweet, not a link to another post/website with said tweet), add context / relevant information and respect the Community Guidelines.
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Update on Orlando "priority" target Michael James.
Looking at a November decision.
With that ranking, I want those coaches calling daily.
eff aTm and eff Brent Williams
As an aside, a friend of mine's kid worked as a team manager/statistician for Buzz. He doesn't work for the team anymore. As my bud put it, "Buzz was a real asshole to work for, but he appreciated statistics. My kid likes Young a lot more. Way more easy going, but Mike walked into the first managers meeting and said, 'what the heck do we need 8 statisticians for?'"
Friend of mine had a son who did stats/play analysis too. Was hired fulltime after graduating in May 2019 but was layed off when they cut all those jobs.
Buzz is big into analytics. There's plenty of teams, both collegiate and professional, that have way more than 8.
Top 8
Props to whoever did his graphic. That looks super nice.
But he has his back to our jersey.
He knows that VT has his back.
Also, our jersey is isolated where all of the other ones are grouped together. That means we're his number 1 choice.
Out of context, it still works for basically everyone in 2020.
Looks like his timetable moved up
Michael is doing a virtual visit today
So we should have three scholarships available for 21 and two for 22 just based off eligibility remaining, correct?
by my count, yes
r-Sr Diarra
Sr Bede
r-Sr Pemsl
r-Jr Aluma
r-Jr Mutts
A guy I'd had my eye on but hadn't heard anything about recently is Carter Whitt. Originally considered reclassifying to 2020, ultimately decided to stay '21. Charlotte Observer has him as the #2 player in NC. Had been hearing a lot from Ohio State, NC State, and Nebraska in addition to VT. Took a visit to VT in February. After deciding not to reclassify, got offers from Memphis, Arkansas, and St. Mary's, and increased interest from Florida, Alabama, and Michigan. So, a little discouraging he didn't pull the trigger on reclassifying with Tech when he had the chance. The road ahead is tougher for the Hokies, but there's plenty to sell him on.
Last thing I'd found him saying anything about VT was last December:
Hell, with hair like that, it looks like he'd be a solid get for VT Lax as well.
looks like the chick from ten things i hate about you
or from Bourne Identity
Or from Save the Last Dance.
I think he meant Heath Ledger, not Julia Stiles.
The last I heard our best bet to get him to Tech would have been reclassing to '20, so it's not looking too good on his front to get him here.
Was feeling discouraged about Carter Whitt, but feeling a little new life after this from Corey Evans at Rivals.
Worth mentioning here that we're one of the few visits he's taken so far and he's held an offer from us since April of 2019. Of those "programs to monitor", the only offer that came earlier was NC State (Dec, 2018)
I feel like NC State isn't recruiting him hard.
Concerning those "programs to monitor"- Michigan offered Whitt today and Marquette may be about to get a '21 PG commit in Stevie Mitchell.
Marquette did indeed fill a PG spot with Mitchell
Everything I've read about Whitt and Michigan has left me with the impression that Whitt is very much a backup option for them after bigger targets have gone elsewhere. Have to wonder if he feels that way, too. May all be moot because one of those "higher" guys, '21 PG Frankie Collins, is set to commit on Wednesday, likely to Michigan.
Michigan got Collins yesterday evening. Would seem to make them and Marquette less likely, as far as need goes. Florida still needs a PG this class and they were deemed a program to watch in Whitt's recruitment. Don't know about the relationship between Florida and Whitt, but they've been involved since they offered him April last. Also as a point of interest- one of those other programs to watch, NC State, took two PGs last class. Absent a late entry by say, UNC, you have to like VT's position.
Expect some of MY's staff to be logging a lot of time with Brewster Academy. Carter Whitt transferred there along with fellow target John Camden, who is good friends and former roommates with third target Sam Ayomide.
a CB is in for Nebraska- did not see that one coming. Only thing that stood out about them that I've seen is it's one of the few schools Whitt has visited. Word is Whitt is leaving Brewster Academy.
Jerry Meyer has more:
It would be a real bummer to miss out on Whitt because he decided to declare early so close to the season. Hate to not have room for such a talented guy, but I also don't blame coach Young for using all his scholarships ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
I don't know Carter Whitt's feelings toward Nebraska or what the CBs right now are based on (maybe Hoiberg's track record of putting guys in the league at Iowa State?), but Brian Snow (who has one of those Husker CBs in) is still mentioning the Hokies as a contender.
lol welp
wow that went off the beaten path quickly! Wake catching their card on the river.
2021 PG Wade Taylor virtually visited Tech on Friday (7/17). Looks like he's only rated on Rivals so far and they have him as a 4*. Most of his offers came in 2018.
Oh to beat out Buzz for a recruit would be pretty sweet!
https://phenomhoopreport.com/playing-like-a-true-big-2023-69-brock-vice/
various heights reported, but class of 2023 means he's just a rising sophomore. Not sure how I missed that Vance Vice had a 6-9 freshman son, but would be cool if he stayed home.
6'9" already? Can you imagine if he hits a growth spurt?
If he hits a growth spurt he might end up as a 6' 14" or 6' 15" TE
He maybe already has, I quit growing vertically in 8th grade
Is he too tall for Left Tackle?
Well, I guess Fuente and Co. are here at least until 2023
s/
It's our year!!
Do employees kids get a free ride? Cause that's an extra scholarship!
Nope, can't use state funds... Must be privately funded.
I'm guessing we have a great shot at him. I'm also confident that Coach Young "gets" the big picture and will offer him regardless.
By big picture, you mean offering kids of important figures in the VT athletic department? I can think of a time where that might have been pretty lucrative....
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what he means.
Update on a couple of VT targets who also happen to be roommates. Ayomide is looking to trim his list to 7 or 8 schools soon and Camden has been sitting on a couple of VT CBs for months.
Still shocked whenever I see a recruiting target over 6'8.
Camden transferring to the same school Carter Whitt just transferred to
My uncle coached in Montgomery County, PA for a long time, and compared Camden to a young, raw Kevin Durant coming out of high school. On one hand he's prone to hyperbole, but on the other he is a hall of fame basketball and volleyball coach, and coached against Kobe in the 1990s. It'll be interesting to see how the transfer plays out, especially with the state of high school sports.
Both Camden and Whitt would be huge pickups for CMY.
Memphis 247 guys are super duper high on Ayomide (#1 on their board) and Camden. They break down their skill sets here (starts 18:20 mark, Camden at 22:50) and intimate there's a better-than-usual chance that these two may want to play together (though their hint may just mean Memphis is on the verge of offering Camden to get to Ayomide).
John Camden announcing this week. Flood of new CBs have him going to Memphis. Memphis has been recruiting Ayomide hard and believes they may be able to get both.
Camden to Memphis. Will recruit Ayomide heavily. sigh.
Ready for some - any - good basketball recruiting news.
2022 is our year!
Football and basketball recruiting
CB in for 2021 combo guard Javon Small. Haven't seen a lot of tape, but what stood out to me is he has a soft touch shooting off the drive and good upcourt vision on the break.
I know the basketball threads don't get as much traffic, but thanks for keeping it updated!
I agree. I am excited about basketball and CMY, and as much as I love Hokie football, Hokie basketball has always run nearly neck and neck with that love. The best thing has always been that even when football is over for the year, basketball keeps me going until the spring and in a good year, provides me with a ton of entertainment that the less good years cannot extinguish.
It may all go to the devil this year, but we'll be keeping our fingers crossed.
Kid is REALLY good. Athletic enough to thrown down alley-oop dunks and great passer and his AAU tape where he plays more free on offense shows Steph Curry-like range. This shot with time running out...
https://youtu.be/08XtTeP7enI?t=114
and these 25 footers
https://youtu.be/08XtTeP7enI?t=18
Best of all if you broke out dribble drives with nothing longer than a layup you couldn't tell which is his strong hand, he's equally strong to his left.
Plus he's from Indiana... give me a team of high hoop IQ Indiana kids all day.
New offer 2023 Carter Lang
6-8 230; St. Annes Bellfield, in the City of Evil
https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/new-virginia-tech-basketball-offer-...
2021 Forward Preston Squire
New Offer
Player Profile
2022 Forward Alex Karaban, 6'8 4*
New Offer
Player Profile
Malik Bowman, 6'7 Forward/Guard
New Offer
Player Profile
Preston Squire at 6-11 with that stroke from deep- yes sir. Looks like 2023 freshman due to going on LDS mission for 2 years.
Preston Squire is 6' 11" and is 86% on FTs. That's incredible! They also note that his primary position is SF. I can't see a scenario where his height doesn't make him a center for us.
Well, Rob... Hello there! Missed you man!
Thanks
corrected: VT offered July 20.
That's an eclectic group of schools! Is that a stinking pirate?
seton hall
Ashton Smith committing on Halloween
update after seeing Wartooth's post:
I debated whether to post this because it could just be in reference to a good week of practice
HOWEVAH
[Charlie_Pepe_Silvia_Board.jpg]
Michael James, who is hearing from Coach Frazier multiple times a week, took a virtual visit to Tech this past Monday and has a decision date coming up September 9. Coach Frazier also tweeted a "GOT BETTER" tweet 6 days before Joe Bamisile committed.
update: follow-up tweet from Coach confirms it was indeed about workouts [collects pins and string]
Patrick Wessler, Center, Class of 2022, 7', 235 lbs
New Offer
Player Profile
"Sam Foggin"
geez. that kid looks a good 18 inches taller than most of the kids stuck guarding him
Just a note of interest because VT and Michigan are finding themselves after some of the same prospects. Would be particularly interesting in the recruiting process of Efton Reid (not that we have a good shot at him).
Chester Frazier doing work. Hokies have made the top 8 for
(no drooling please)
2022 5-star forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (who may seek to reclassify to '21).
As the article points out, Kentucky was thought to be a favorite for BHH earlier this year, but didn't make the cut.
So much for our worries about Coach Young and the recruiting trail. He has been doing the work.
Any chance UK pulled out because these guys might go the G League route?
If Mike Young retires sooner rather than later I'd love to have Chester Frazier there to take over.
How do we feel about Michael James for his commitment tomorrow?
I have no idea how Rivals publisher predictions compare to 247's crystal balls, or just predictions in basketball recruiting in the first place... but two writers for Rivals have him going to VT as of August 22nd. The one 247 crystal ball is for A&M, and it's from June.
So sounds like we have a good chance.
Last article I read said it was a race between Bama and VT and TAM actually fell off. take it for what its worth, but just hoping for good news tomorrow!
Chris Alvin has it 75% for Michael to commit too us
Where did you get this info? 247 has only one cb and that's an 8 to Lewisville. He's pretty much gone to those scumbags.
Wrong. Four cbs to Lewisville now on 247. He's gone.
Welp that's sucks it was all tech the other day
Sucks but doesn't mean it's certain. Remember all of MJ Walker's CB's
Deleted
Michael James is a hell of a basketball name.
Committed to Louisville
Top 8 for 2021 Oklahoma PG Sean Pedulla. Hokies offered July 8 per social media, but offer is not listed on 247.
A few notes on Pedulla-
Hopes to sign during the November period, but won't rush a decision.
There is a pretty good chance that kids 8 years old, right?
CB for Ok State from Jerry Meyer :/
Top 3 for Pedulla, Ok State still in the driver's seat
๐จ๐๐จ
reading the social media tea leaves, MY and staff seem to be going full heist and sneaking Pedulla out of Oklahoma in a laundry basket
two new CBs for VT for Pedulla and a Chris Arvin "get excited" tweet
UPDATE: all CBs have flipped to the good guys
Arvin says we got him and he will announce this week!
Mason Miller (son of former 17-year NBA veteran Mike Miller) is focused on 5 programs, including Virginia Tech.
Those CBs for Memphis are mostly from May and June. They have offered (Germantown is in the Memphis suburbs) His recruitment is still open and is going slowly because he wants to be able to take visits. "After Christmas if things aren't opening up then I'll probably start making a decision."
I gotta say, even if it was under Buzz's watch, getting Nickeil Alexander-Walker drafted in the first round and getting Justin Robinson at least into the two-way player contract conversation is going to go a long way in pulling in recruits. We've only had 15 players make the NBA (and that is charitably counting Dorian Finney-Smith, according to RealGM) - the fact that 2 of them have come in the last year is big.
He was waived, but want to shout out Ahmed Hill's two-way contract with Charlotte.
He played pretty well for the Northern Arizona Suns (G league) so hopefully he can play his way into a NBA contract soon.
Been really nice to have had Hokies to cheer for each of the past five seasons with Green, Eddie, Delaney, Robinson and Alexander-Walker.
Would love to see a big man on that list
We'd have to have big men for that to happen. We seem to be turning a corner there. Recent history is lacking.
KBJ could have been that guy.
6'9" and 180 pounds?
For heaven's sake, somebody buy that young man a bag of double cheeseburgers.
Hardee's coupons might actually be a viable strategy in his case.
Or Cactus Jack burgers
It's lit.
My favorite part about this is all the poor McDonalds workers getting tired of kids pulling up in the drive thru not saying anything when asked for their order but instead playing "Sicko Mode"
I got some bad news๐
Knew he wasn't coming to VT. I'm picking a shocker and he goes to WF. His dad played there. No, not really. I haven't a clue but 247 has two expert high cbs to Nebraska. Just know it's not VT. Since he's planning on joining his college choice in Jan. now, VT doesn't even have a scholarship available. Was hoping hoops recruiting would follow last year's but not too good so far!!
You Won!
chatter to share as Nate's recruitment "begins to wind down":
Good enough for me no matter the ranking! You can win a lot of games with guys like this on the roster. Defense is much easier to teach (if its a weakness) and any shortcomings can be covered up with energy and tenacity.
Bryce McGowens decommitted from Florida State. Was seen as a heavy Clemson lean. Brother of Trey McGowens, who Tech also pursued, currently at Pitt.
That would be a great way to start the class
Oh that would be nice. I would like to think that CMY has some connections here from is time in SC. Plus that list of potential alternatives (if it stays at just that list) doesn't really scare me.
Think this is either gonna be UGA or back to FSU. Family still wants him at FSU
Looks like the B ball players will get the extra year eligibility like football. That possibly changes recruiting significantly depending on the scholarship total . This would be great because some guys last year could have used a redshirt and were forced to play because of the situation we were left in . Getting a point guard may not be as critical if Bede and Diarra decided they would take the extra year .
new name, new (low confidence) VT CBs, including a switch by a Temple insider.
Lynn Greer III had been a 2020 recruit but reclassified last year to 21. He's previously been said to be down to Georgetown, Temple, Miami, Ohio State, and Nebraska. His dad played at Temple, so that was pegged as his destination until-
While I didn't see any highlight videos, I did see that both his grandfather was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 70s and his dad had a 13 year career in Europe, including a brief 41 game stint in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2006-07. So that is a hell of a pedigree.
Not sure how I feel considering in his tweet announcing our offer, he called us Seton Hall...looks like he just copies and pastes for every offer, and forgot to change the school name