Virginia Tech Basketball: 2 big takeaways from Christian Gurdak commitment

Tuesday, Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young picked up a big commitment in the Class of 2025 in four-star center Christian Gurdak. He is the second commitment in the class, joining Sin'Cere Jones just over two weeks after the Portsmouth, Virginia native committed to the Hokies.

This is a major win in recruiting for Young as he looks to build a roster beyond 2024-25 and he is one of the better bigs that is in the class. Earlier Tuesday, 247Sports Crystal Ball Prediciton had Virginia Tech getting Gurdak's commitment and that's what happened. Here are three thoughts after Gurdak committed to Young.

Hard works pays off for Mike Young and his staff

It's safe to say that Gurdak has been on Virginia Tech's radar for some time. A very long time actually. He was offered a scholarship when he was 14 years old and Young and his staff always kept in contact with him. He was someone that the coaching clearly saw as a priority and made it known that he was and it paid off.

"Virginia Tech was my first offer, and I was 14, so I was so excited to be offered by a great ACC school. I remember calling my parents as soon as it happened. It was just a great feeling."

- Christian Gurdak

Gurdak is a nice piece to land early in the summer for Young and adds to a frontcourt that includes Jones and that is not a bad start to recruiting in the Class of 2025.

Virginia Tech records key recruiting win over Iowa and other schools

Gurdak took two visits in June, one to Virginia Tech and another to Notre Dame. The trip out to South Bend for the Gonzaga center was after his trip to Blacksburg and he ultimately picked the Hokies, but it was more than just Notre Dame that Young beat out to get his commitment. Penn State, Iowa, Maryland, and others.

The noticeable schools listed where Young keeps him away are Notre Dame and Maryland. Micah Shrewsberry at Notre Dame is in the process of turning things around for the Irish and it keeps him out of the ACC against Tech. Maryland is a school that is a place where the Hokies are battling for recruits and this is a pretty big win in getting the upper hand on the Terps for once in recruiting.

With Gurdak and Jones committed, it's now time for Young and his staff to turn their attention to wings and guards in the Class of 2025. So far, so good.