Lost in the hype of another football season is the fact that we are only four months away from the tipoff of another college basketball season. For the Virginia Tech Hokies, there are reasons to be excited next season.
Following a lack of funding commitment, head coach Mike Young struggled to recruit top talent and retain it. After another disappointing season, Young got some help this offseason. The most notable move was the return of Chester Frazier as his top assistant. Frazier was Youngโs top assistant for his first two seasons before he departed for his alma mater, Illinois. After three seasons with the Fighting Illini, Frazier spent last season as West Virginiaโs top assistant. And when head coach Darian DeVries shockingly departed Morgantown after one season, Young made the move to bring Frazier back to Blacksburg.
Next, their attention turned to the roster. Shortly after the season ended, several Hokies entered the transfer portal. It allowed Young to use resources to improve the roster. The first move was retaining four Hokies he wanted to keep: Tobi Lawal, Jaden Schutt, Ben Hammond and Tyler Johnson.
The first domino fell when highly-regarded forward Amani Hansberry followed Frazier to Virginia Tech from WVU. Next, Tech added guards Jailen Bedford (UNLV) and Izaiah Pasha (Delaware). The Hokies then signed a five-man freshman class, led by Greece native Neoklis Avdalas. Avdalas may be the most hyped โ and most important โ recruit in school history. The Hokies hope the legit NBA prospect proves to be a difference-maker on Day 1.
So, what number will Avdalas wear next season? The Hokies announced jersey numbers for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday. โNeoโ will wear No. 17.
One notable change from last season is that Hammond switches from No. 11 to No. 3.
Now that itโs legal, the Hokies would be smart to start selling those No. 17 jerseys immediately.