Last spring, Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young needed a point guard for the 2024-25 season. Sean Pedulla hit the transfer portal after last season, committing to Ole Miss. That left Brandon Rechsteiner and Temple transfer Hysier Miller as the two ballhandlers for this past season.
In early May, Young got a commitment from in-state Class of 2024 point guard Ben Hammond after he de-committed from the University of Rhode Island before committing to Virginia Tech. After dismissing Miller in October before the season started and being down another point guard, Hammond stepped up and had a great first year for the Hokies.
After Rechsteiner started the season as the Hokies point guard, Hammond took over the starting duties are New Year's and with each passing game, he was getting better and better. On Thursday, the Fairfax native made a decision about his future in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech freshman point guard Ben Hammond announces he's returning for 2025-26
In this day and age, with the transfer portal, you feel like anyone at any time will jump ship, enter the portal, and find a new home for the following season. Hammond announced Thursday that he will return to Virginia Tech for the 2025-26 season, which is great news for Young and his staff.
Let’s get to it🦃 pic.twitter.com/2mLeid4e0S
— Ben Hammond (@theb3nhammond) April 3, 2025
This season Hammond averaged just 5.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.5 minutes a game, but he brought so much more to the table than his stats. His court vision was good, his ability to get inside the defense to set up teammates was never more evident than in January when he drove to the basket and made a nice pass to Mylyjael Poteat who finished a three-point play in the final seconds for a win over Miami.
His defense got better as the season went along as did his ability to shoot the ball from the outside, mainly behind the 3-point line. He had a career-high 21 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists along with some defensive plays in an overtime win over Syracuse last month. This is very big news for Virginia Tech for next season as Hammond has a chance to be a special player for the Hokies. With Rechsteiner entering the portal, Hammond needed to return, and now it's official that he is.