The 2024-25 Virginia Tech Hokies went into last season with zero expectations. When transfer guard Hysier Miller was released from the team just before the season even began, it left the Hokies thin in the backcourt,
specifically, at point guard.
The season went as expected. The Hokies went 13-19 and were 8-12 in ACC play. They were a tough out at times, overmatched at other times. As soon as last season ended, we were promised that next season would be different. How? The Hokies promised more resources for the 2025-26 team.
They immediately delivered, with the return of Chester Frazier as head coach Mike Young’s top assistant. Frazier was with Young when he first came to Blacksburg, but left for his alma mater, Illinois. Then Young went to work on his roster, prioritizing the return of four players while allowing others to leave via the transfer portal.
Before we preview the 2025-26 Hokies, we’ll leave you with forward Tobi Lawal’s assessment of last season’s team.
“My team, I’m proud of how far we came,” Lawal said. “What did they have us in the preseason? Maybe 14th or 15th? They thought we were going to be ass. I mean, we were still ass, but we weren’t that bad. You know what I’m saying? We beat expectations.”
Sadly, for some, that quote is what most remember about last season. However, big things are expected from the Hokies in 2025-26.
Let’s preview Virginia Tech’s upcoming season.
Returning players
- 1 F Tobi Lawal, senior, 6-foot-8, 215
- 2 G Jaden Schutt, redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 200
- 3 G Ben Hammond, sophomore, 5-foot-11, 170
- 10 G Tyler Johnson, sophomore, 6-foot-5, 210
Mike Young was determined to flip last season’s roster. After the financial scraps he was given over the last couple of years, Young deserved a chance to build a roster with some support. The first moves he made was determining which players to retain. Lawal topped the list. The former VCU transfer led Virginia Tech in scoring (12.4 PPG) and rebounding (7.0) last season. The phenomenal athlete flirted with the NBA draft, but chose to return to Blacksburg, where he’ll have more talent around him.
Schutt, a transfer from Duke, averaged 7.7 points per game last season and led the Hokies with 57 3-pointers (35.6%) made. He’d like to improve that shooting percentage, and with more scorers around him, there will be less pressure in 2025-26.
Johnson and Hammond were impressive freshmen last season. Johnson can play guard or forward, is an excellent rebounder and solid on the defensive end. He improved throughout last season and is a player the Hokies are really excited about this season.
Hammond was thrown into the fire last season. He struggled at times, but you watched him improve in each game. Young wanted him back for a reason. Hammond is an excellent ballhandler and proved he can knock down 3s.
The freshmen
- 5 F Sin’Cere Jones, freshman, 6-foot-7, 230
- 7 G Brett Freeman, freshman, 6-foot-5, 180
- 15 G Shamarius “Snook” Peterkin, freshman, 6-foot-3, 174
- 17 G Neoklis Avdalas, freshman, 6-foot-9, 215
- 22 C Solomon Davis, freshman, 6-foot-11, 225
- 32 C Christian Gurdak, freshman, 6-foot-10, 260
- 77 C Antonio Dorn, freshman, 7-foot-0, 230
What do you notice here? Yes, it’s a large freshman class. But look at the size. Young added three centers at 6-foot-10 and above. Davis was a late addition and will likely redshirt. The same could be said for Jones and Freeman. All are talented players, but behind more experienced guys this season. Peterkin is also a 4-star football player, who will join the team once the football season is complete. He was an excellent basketball player in Winston-Salem.
The prize is Neo Avdalas. The Greek sensation was recently named a 5-star signee and he played professionally overseas for four years. He’s only 19 years old. Avdalas has everything you look for in a star. He’s a 6-foot-9 point guard, but he can play four spots. His court vision and passing ability are advanced for a college freshman. He’s a good shooter, who is only getting better. The Hokies are putting a lot on Avdalas this season as the starting point guard, but it’s one of the reasons he chose Tech. Don’t be surprised if he leads the Hokies in scoring and assists. He gives Virginia Tech a player with real All-American potential. He chose Blacksburg over the NBA draft. If all goes well, Neo has a phenomenal freshman season, the Hokies head to the NCAA Tournament and he is an NBA Lottery pick.
Gurdak and Dorn should both play. Dorn is from Germany and can defend the rim and run the floor. Gurdak is a good scorer close to the basket. I would expect both in the rotation this season, at least until Young determines the 8-9 players he’ll stick with in most games.
The transfers
- 0 G Jailen Bedford, graduate student, 6-foot-4, 190
- 4 G Izaiah Pasha, sophomore, 6-foot-5, 200
- 13 F Amana Hansberry, forward, 6-foot-8, 240
The Hokies didn’t go heavy in the transfer portal, instead focusing big on players who could start or fill immediate roles. Hansberry followed Frazier from Illinois and West Virginia to Blacksburg. He’s expected to have a breakout season in Tech’s frontcourt. Hansberry playing next to Lawal should be a fun duo. He’s a candidate to lead Tech in scoring and rebounding. Hansberry also can knock down outside shots.
Bedford should immediately be Tech’s top defensive player. He can guard both spots in the backcourt, handle the ball and shoot the 3-ball. He’s also expected to be a part of Tech’s starting five.
Pasha is one of the most interesting newcomers. The Delaware transfer played in 34 games as a freshman last season (33 starts), averaged 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He can play either guard spot and is adept at creating his own shot. A terrific athlete, Pasha had an outstanding run in March’s CAA Tournament, scoring in double figures four times, including 21 in the championship game. He will not start, but could be a key reserve for the Hokies.
Starting 5
Here’s the projected starting five for the Hokies, which could change frequently once Young sees how everyone responds to game action:
- Amani Hansberry
- Tobi Lawal
- Tyler Johnson
- Jailen Bedford
- Neoklis Avdalas
This isn’t set in stone, but four spots are almost guaranteed. Johnson and Schutt are likely battling for that fifth starting spot, with the other acting as the sixth man. Hansberry and Lawal give the Hokies a credible frontcourt duo, with Johnson the perfect wing, as he can also defend and rebound. Bedford is another ace defender who can score and handle the rock. Avdalas is the glue. These five players, along with Schutt, Hammond, Dorn, and, perhaps, Pasha, could be Tech’s “top 9” this winter.
Best-case scenario
Obviously, the best-case scenario is that the Hokies avoid the injury bug and Avdalas is as advertised. If Neo adjusts to the college game by the time ACC play rolls around, this can be a special season. Hansberry, Lawal and Bedford are proven in their roles. Johnson could be the X-Factor for Tech this year. He does so many things well, and Young expects big things from him. Having Hammond come off the bench is another luxury that Young hasn’t had recently. This team has depth. It has players who can score inside and outside, as well as a terrific facilitator.
If everything goes as Young believes, this team can challenge for the top of the ACC and a Sweet 16 berth. Those are reasonable goals.
Worst-case scenario
We don’t like to cover this one because we’ve seen the worst-case scenario a lot over the last few years for the Hokies. But if there are injuries and Avdalas fails to adjust to American college basketball, it could be a disappointing year. Injuries to Avdalas, Hansberry, or Lawal could be big trouble for the Hokies. The Hokies have much more depth to withstand injuries this season, but cannot afford any to their projected top players.
The Hokies open the season on Monday night at Cassell Coliseum, when they host Charleston Southern.
