It has been 10 days since the Virginia Tech men's basketball team's frustrating 2025-26 season came to an end. After a promising start after an offseason of hype, the Hokies went 11-2 with their non-conference slate, only to stumble to an 8-10 ACC slate and a first-round exit again in the ACC Tournament.
After Wake Forest bounced Virginia Tech last week in Charlotte, the Hokies returned to Blacksburg and announced that they were not accepting an NIT bid and their season was over at 19-13. For a season that began with so much excitement, it ended one game short of a 20-win season, which appeared to be a lock after rolling through the non-conference slate. The planning for 2026-27 has already begun, and here are three players coach Mike Young must bring back next season.
Amani Hansberry
What a difference when West Virginia transfer Amani Hansberry was on the court and when he wasn't. When Tobi Lawal and Tyler Johnson went down with injuries, Hansberry took the reins and led the Hokies. The 6-foot-8 junior from Silver Spring, Maryland, was a big part of what Young wanted to do at both ends.
He led Virginia Tech with 14.3 points a game and 7.4 rebounds. He was able to step out and knock down the occasional 3-pointer, which stretched the defense. His injury against Virginia hurt down the stretch of the regular season final and in the ACC Tournament. Given how bad the bubble was, a win over Virginia and Wake Forest likely gets Tech into the field. This would be a tough loss if he leaves.
Tyler Johnson
After a good freshman season, hopes were high for Tyler Johnson to take a big step as a sophomore. He played well in the non-conference portion of the schedule, but right before the ACC opener on New Year's Eve against Virginia at home, it was announced that he was going to be out with an injury.
It was almost two months of will he play or won't he play. He returned in late February in North Carolina, but wasn't the same player he was before the injury. It was a frustrating end to the season, but hopefully not the end of his career in Blacksburg. A healthy Tyler Johnson next season would be huge.
Ben Hammond
I mean, was there a player other than maybe Hansberry that meant more to the Hokies this season than Ben Hammond? As the season went along, he was the best Virginia Tech player on most nights and finished averaging 31.5 minutes a game. He averaged 13.2 points a game, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists a night with two steals.
He was the one who Young had shooting free throws late in games and taking shots that decided games. Hammond became a better 3-point shooter as the season went along and was very valuable to Young. If there is anyone Virginia Tech can't afford to lose, it's Hammond. However, he might have earned himself a nice payday in the Transfer Portal if he enters.
The Transfer Portal will open the day after the Natiinal Championship Game on Aoril 7. Things are about to get interesting.