Back in the spring, Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young picked up a massive recruiting win when Greek star Neoklis Avdalas verbally committed to the Hokies, but there was a potential roadblock: the NBA Draft.
Despite Avdalas' verbal commitment, he was entering the NBA Draft process, and it wasn't a given that he would pull out and play in Blacksburg. He was looking for feedback on whether or not he would be a first-round pick, but he was projected to be a second-round pick. After withdrawing from the process, he officially signed with Young and the Hokies.
There is no doubt that Avdalas has a chance to be one of, if not the biggest recruit and commitment in not only the men's basketball program history, but also school history, going up against some of the top all-time football recruits. Avdalas turned a lot of heads this summer in the FIBA EuroBasket for Greece with some huge games. With the college basketball season growing closer and closer with each passing day, Avdalas collected a major feat from 247Sports.
Virginia Tech men's basketball star receives five-star rating from 247Sports
Avdalas' withdrawal and coming to Virginia Tech is a huge game-changer for Young and the Hokies. 247Sports gave him a five-star rating with a score of 98. It can't be stated enough that this is a game-changing recruit and addition to the roster for 2025-26 for Young. The 6-foot-8 guard will play multiple positions for the Hokies this upcoming winter, with the key being both on and off the ball.
Following a frustrating 2024-25 season, Young vowed that Virginia Tech would be a better team moving forward, and on paper, he has proven that to be right. Along with some retention from some key players, Tobi Lawal, Ben Hammond, Jaden Schutt, and Tyler Johnson, just to name a few, they add a five-star stud in Avdalas. Whether or not it propels them into the NCAA Tournament next March or not remains to be seen, but the excitement already in mid-August for the college basketball season is something that the fanbase has been waiting for. Now Avdalas gives them even more reason to be excited.