I'm up late, so let's talk hoops and the future

I see VT having 3 scholarships open for the 2021 class...COVID could make that pretty fluid, but I wont get into that just yet...we can simply take a look as if VT were to lose the 3 players who are seniors

On their way out:

Wabissa Bede
Cartier Diarra
Cordell Pemsl

Youd think 2 guards and a post would fill those spots, but I would actually flip that on its head and say 1 guard who can play PG and wing, then 2 versatile posts at the 4 and 5.

So with that, my ideal class is...

Jordan Riley - 6'4 guard out of NY

Supremely athletic. Already very strong. Not a great shooter, but not bad either. Very good defender. Would be a very complementary addition to the team and bring many of the things lost with both Diarra and Bede. Like Diarra, could play PG and off the ball and fit well within the system.

Akoldah Gak - 6'9 4/5 from Australia (Blair Academy, NJ)

Very long. Very athletic. Still growing into his body. Has the ability to put the ball on the floor and can make plays. He could even grow into a role as a 3 in a bigger defensive lineup. In terms of a role, he is a lot like N'Guessan but he could slide over to the 5 depending on matchups as well.

Samson Johnson - 6'10 4/5 from NJ

Again, very long, good athleticism. Will protect the rim very well. He is a lot like Ojiako but without the developed body. If you land Gak AND Johnson, he would do well to redshirt a year if he is open to it. Would be tough to do, however, as he is pretty sought after. Can shoot when left open. Very good touch around the rim.



Gak and Johnson are both top 100 kids. Riley is criminally underrated, and is top 100 in my mind. The only kid at the guard spot that VT has been after that I would like more is Angelo Brizzi (who just eliminated VT) but they are both very very good players.

You'll notice a trend here (as well as with the 2 classes MY has signed) is that there is a lot of versatility in each of the signees. Riley can play 1-3 and be fine. Gak can play 3 to 5 and be fine. Johnson can play 4 or 5. Versatility is a huge part of protecting against injuries, slumps, suspensions, transfers, etc. and VT looks to have it in excess. 3 straight classes of versatile skilled players would go a long way to ensuring the long-term success of the program. It would be pretty hard to screw it up at that point.

Gak is a pro. Johnson could develop into one. Riley will be a very good college player.