After withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft process, Greek star Neoklis Avdalas officially signed with the Virginia Tech men's basketball team. After giving a verbal commitment prior to entering the draft process, he signed, and the future star in Blacksburg opened more eyes before coming to Blacksburg.
In the Classification Game 5-6, Avdalas recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in Greece's 92-82 victory over Israel in the U20 FIBA EuroBasket. Avdalas became the first player to do it in the tournament since Georgios Kalaitzakis dropped 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in 2019. Dimitris Moraitis also recorded a triple-double the same season. Each of the three players did it in the Final Round.
Player | Edition | Triple-Double |
|---|---|---|
Neoklis Avdalas | 2025 (Final Round) | 14 pts-10 reb-10 ass |
Georgios Kalaitzakis | 2019 (Final Round) | 23 pts-10 reb-11 ass |
Dimitris Moraitis | 2019 (Final Round) | 23 pts-11 reb-11 ass |
Jon Arnor Sverrisson | 2018 (Final Rounf) | 13 pts-12 reb-14 ass |
Victor Sada | 2004 (Preliminary Round) | 23 pts-15 reb-10 ass |
Victor Khryapa | 2002 (Final Round) | 15 pts-12 reb-12 ass |
Victor Khryapa | 2002 (Qualification Round) | 12 pts-14 reb-10 ass |
Avdalas was very good for Greece in the tournament, and it's safe to say that he opened more eyes ahead of his freshman season at Virginia Tech and potential first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. In the tournament, he averaged 14 points, eight assists, 7.1 rebounds, shooting 40% from the field, and 31% from behind the arc.
As you just tell by his stats, he has the potential to be a special player for Mike Young and the Hokies. Along with Tobi Lawal and some of the Transfer Portal additions, if things go well, Virginia Tech should be a better team than they were in 2024-25, which isn't saying a lot.
As far as Avdalas goes, he gives Young the options of playing multiple positions, and the veteran coach has not ruled out him even playing some point guard, which, by evidence of his play in the FIBA EuroBasket, should be a good move. When you have a player with the talent that Avdalas has, having the ball in his hands a much as possible is a no-brainer when he's in the game.