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Virginia Tech basketball: Keve Aluma throws his name in the NBA Draft

By Geoffrey Godfrey

Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Keve Aluma (22) shoots against Florida Gators guard Tre Mann (1) during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Keve Aluma (22) shoots against Florida Gators guard Tre Mann (1) during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Keve Aluma has entered his name in the NBA Draft pool but he won’t hire an agent. If he comes back to the Virginia Tech basketball program, this could be one of the most explosive teams in the country.

Aluma was a staple for Virginia Tech basketball this year and their run at the ACC title. At this moment, Keve Aluma is not ranked on the top-100 big board on NBAdraftnet which is one of the premier basketball ranking platforms. While there is a lot to like to his game, he profiles more as a rotational development player currently at the next level.

Last year in 22 games he averaged 30 minutes logging big-time play but was shooting under 60% from everywhere but the free-throw line. However, he still managed just shy of a double-double with 15.2 points and 7.9 rebounds a game.

While he may have been one of the best players on the team, it was his first year at a big-time program.

There is still a lot of upside to Aluma, but he needs more time. In 2018/2019 he was shooting just shy of 70% from the field at a much lower level of play, but he has progressed in his rebounding, assists, and vision. His size at 6-foot-9 is great, but his frame doesn’t bode well for him at the next level currently. He doesn’t have the elite point-scoring, speed, or playmaking ability for that size and height to be a good mixture at the next level.

If he does stay, I expect him to get back to form like in 2018/2019 and shoot up the boards being a mid-2nd or high-2nd round pick in the 2022 NBA draft. If he can score better from the field and the three-point line, he could carve out a solid career as a 3-and-D wing at the next level. He already has some of the defensive mechanics down, but he can’t shoot that low from the field at the next level and stay on the court as just a rebounding rotational forward.

He has not fully committed to the draft yet, as he has not hired an agent. So there is still some hope he will come back to Virginia Tech next season, and they can build on a strong showing.