The Virginia Tech Hokies open the 2026-27 men’s basketball season on Tuesday, when the Coppin State Eagles come to Cassell Coliseum. Hopes are high for the Hokies, who return three of last year’s top players and add a deep, versatile transfer class.
A year ago, expectations were sky-high, largely because of the addition of five-star freshman Neoklis Avdalas. While the Avdalas started great, it didn’t end so well. The Hokies and head coach Mike Young trusted Avdalas so little that he wasn’t even on the floor
late in last year’s ACC Tournament elimination game. He finished the year averaging 12 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. He shot just 38.6% from the floor and only 31% from the 3-point line. Avdalas likely wanted a change of scenery, but Young was also not going to devote a significant portion of his NIL budget to Avdalas again.
One newcomer who met and surpassed expectations was junior forward Amani Hansberry, a WVU transfer. The 6-foot-8 Hansberry led the Hokies in scoring (14.3 PPG) and was second on the team in rebounds (7.4 RPG). He’s back.
Last season’s breakout player was 5-foot-11 sophomore point guard Ben Hammond. Although they are different styles of point guard, Hammond became the player many Virginia Tech fans hoped Avdalas would become. He was second on the team in scoring (13.2) and assists (3.2). Hammond really shone when ACC play began, first scoring a career-high 30 in a triple-overtime win over Virginia. He scored in double figures in 22 of Virginia Tech’s last 24 games.
Last season, the team lost its third-, fourth-, and fifth-leading scorers: Tobi Lawal (12.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG), Avdalas (12.1 PPG), and guard Jailen Bedford (11.3 PPG). However, Virginia Tech’s sixth-leading scorer, wing Tyler Johnson, is back. Johnson would’ve had a bigger impact last year, but an injury kept him out almost all of conference play. He’s a terrific “three-and-D” wing and, if healthy, should see his scoring uptick this season.
Without further ado, let’s meet the 2026-27 Hokies.
Roster
- 0 – G – SR – Jaylen Curry, 6-1, 180, Charlotte, N.C. – UMass/Oklahoma State
- 1 – G – SR – Ethan Copeland, 6-2, 180, Sunnyside, Wash. – Salt Lake CC/Stetson
- 2 – G – JR – Isaiah Elohim, 6-5, 208, Kingston, N.Y. – USC/FAU
- 3 – G – JR – Ben Hammond, 5-11, 170, Manassas, Va. – Paul VI
- 4 – G – R. JR – Ned Hull, 6-3, 195, Charlotte, N.C. – Elon
- 5 – F – SO – Sin’Cere Jones, 6-7, 225, Portsmouth, Va. – Churchland
- 6 – F – SR – Miles Heide, 6-10, 230, North Bend, Wash. – San Diego State
- 7 – F – R. SO – Kuol Atak, 6-9, 215, Haltom City, Texas – Oklahoma
- 8 – G – FR – Eltayeb Eltayeb, 6-8, 200, Sudan – Sunrise Christian Academy
- 10 – G – JR – Tyler Johnson, 6-5, 208, Orlando, Fla. – Oak Ridge
- 11 – G – FR – James Caldarella, 6-3, 185, Barrington, R. I. – Cheshire Academy
- 13 – F – SR – Amani Hansberry, 6-8, 240, Silver Spring, Md. – Illinois/West Virginia
- 22 – C – R FR – Solomon Davis, 6-10, 235, Hyattsville, Md. – DeMatha Catholic
- 31 – C – SO – Musa Sagnia, 6-10, 230, The Gambia – NC State
- 33 – G – 5th Year – Butta Johnson, Huntsville, Ala. – UAB/Clemson
Coaching staff
- Head coach Mike Young: 8th season at Virginia Tech, 124-98 record. 17 seasons at Wofford, 299-244.
- Associate head coach Chester Frazier
- Assistant coach J.D. Byers
- Assistant coach David Moats
- Assistant coach Hunter Cattoor
Top newcomers
The Hokies have several newcomers, mostly via the transfer portal. Some names to watch are Curry, Elohim and Atak. Other players will have more specialized roles. Heide is a rim protector who will likely start in the middle. He won’t provide much scoring, but he’s a solid defender and rebounder. Johnson is a battle-tested veteran from Clemson, who can give the Hokies solid minutes off the bench. He’s a plus defender. Copeland is a sharpshooter. The Hokies need to create looks for him, but he could have a few big scoring games this year.
As for the top three, Curry has the game of a scoring guard in a point guard’s body. You almost wonder how much he and Hammond can play together. Size will be an issue for those two in the backcourt, as Curry is 6-foot-1, while Hammond is 5-foot-11. It shouldn’t be an issue on the offensive end, but it could be on the defensive side.
Elohim is a former top recruit and has two years of eligibility remaining. He has high upside; the Hokies could start him at one wing or have him serve as the 6th man. He shot 47% from the field last season and averaged 12 points per game at FAU. Elohim is also solid on the defensive end. He’s on the rise.
Atak is the guy to watch. He has a chance to be instant offense off the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s Virginia Tech’s breakout player this season. He can flat-out shoot it.
Projected starting 5
- G Ben Hammond
- G Isaiah Elohim
- F/G Tyler Johnson
- F Amani Hansberry
- F/C Miles Heide
Curry in the starting lineup wouldn’t be a surprise either. Atak could find his way there, but Young will probably like his potential offense off the bench. Copeland is another name to watch off the bench. He could have some defensive limitations, but Young has shown he can help shooters create shots. Adding Atak and Copeland could give Young one of his best shooting teams at Virginia Tech.
X-Factor
While Hammond and Hansberry are the stars and potential All-ACC players, watch out for Tyler Johnson. The Hokies missed him last season. He can guard three positions, is an excellent defender, a strong rebounder for his size, and another strong shooter. Johnson does everything well. He’s also a glue guy. He’s one of Virginia Tech’s “Big 3” this season. If healthy, I expect Johnson to have a big year.
National rankings
How do others see the Hokies? Let’s look at two of the rankings most fans rely on in college hoops—no, it’s not the AP Top 25.
KenPom: 53rd
Bart Torvik: 42nd
Whether you look at KemPom, Torvik, or the preseason ACC predictions, the Hokies are projected to finish anywhere from 6-10.
Outlook
Last season’s team had more hype. One: the addition of Avdalas, an international five-star, and the return of the electrifying Tobi Lawal. This year’s team has neither, but I like the roster makeup better. Of course, you must factor health into that equation. An injury seems to sidetrack the Hokies every year. If Virginia Tech can avoid a big injury this season, I think this team makes the NCAA Tournament. Sure, it’s a projection, but Tech’s top three guys are pretty dang good. This team has playable depth, which hasn’t always been the case. They have some size. And they have two trustworthy point guards with plenty of experience. Guard play matters in March. Oh, and have we mentioned they have added better shooting this year?
The attention is back on football in Blacksburg. And wrestling. That’s good news for Mike Young. He likes flying under the radar. By January, Virginia Tech fans will enjoy this team.
