When Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young got a visit from Neoklis Avdalas last spring, it certainly opened some eyes around the fanbase. He then gave a verbal commitment to the Hokies even though he was entering the NBA Draft process. If he withdrew from that, he would be a Hokie.
He ended up withdrawing, and he kept true to his word and officially signed with Virginia Tech for the 2025-26 season. It was a huge addition for Young, a five-star NBA prospect. Why did Avdalas pick Virginia Tech?
Neoklis Avdalas explains decision to commit to Virginia Tech
Until he signed, would it have been surprising to see a Duke, North Carolina, Alabama, or any power conference coach coming after him? No, but with what was reported to be a bigger NIL package this offseason for Young, he was able to land Avdalas, and he explained his decision to pick the Hokies and come to Blacksburg.
"College basketball was always an option for me, I was always watching college basketball,'' said Avdalas. "Coming up to this season, last year I entered the NBA Draft, it was a big thing for me, I thought I was close, so I thought Virginia Tech was the best fit for me right now to go there next year."
Now a five-star prospect according to 247Sports, Avdalas is a rising prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft who was considered a second-round pick this past June and could work his way into a first-round pick with a strong season for Virginia Tech. The fact that he thought that Virginia Tech was the best fit for him is certainly encouraging, and basketball season can't get here fast enough.
He can do it all, and fans will love watching him play on a nightly basis. This should be the most fun men's hoop team in some time in Blacksburg.