When Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young landed some key transfers, along with getting retention from Tobi Lawal and landing freshman Neoklis Avdalas, the Hokies were primed for a big 2025-26 season.
However, things don't always go as planned, and that was the case last winter. Virginia Tech dropped several close games in conference play that saw them slide into playing on the opening day of the ACC Tournament back in March. The non-conference success was all but forgotten after the New Year.
In the regular season final against Virginia, the Hokies suffered a blow when Amani Hansberry was injured and missed the first-round ACC Tournament loss to Wake Forest in overtime. After the season ended, the Hokies were declining an NIT bid if they were offered one, which left a lot of futures in doubt for some players. One of them was Hansberry.
As expected, there was some movement in the Transfer Portal with Virginia Tech, and they lost some key players, including Avdalas, which was far from surprising. However, Young and his staff were able to get some key retention with Hansberry, Tyler Johnson, and Ben Hammond. The Field of 68 released their Top 50 returning players for the 2026-27 season, and Hansberry landed on the list.
Virginia Tech forward Amani Hansberry labeled as one of the Top 50 players returning in 2026-27
Tristian Freeman listed the Top 50 returning players for next season, and Hansberry came in at No. 40. Getting some retention was huge for Young and the Hokies, but he nailed it in terms of getting the retention that he needed from the trio that is returning.
In his first season in Blacksburg, Hansberry averaged 14.3 points a game, which led Virginia Tech, and he was second in rebounds to Lawal with 7.4 a game. He was second to Hammong in steals with 44, and he dished out 77 assists. He shot 35% from behind the arc, showing the ability at times to step outside and shoot the ball well.
The NCAA Tournament is expanding to 76 next season, and that could be a good thing for Young and his team. However, getting key retention along with some additions through the Transfer Portal gives Virginia Tech some hope.
Getting Hansberry back is huge, but his staying healthy is going to be key for a team that will not likely be as deep as they were a year ago. Regardless, Hansberry, Hammond, and Johnson are nice pieces for Virginia Tech to build around next season.
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