The Mike Young era for Virginia Tech Basketball has gotten off to a great start. An opening night win against an ACC opponent (Clemson), controlling non-conference home openers, and a freshman class that has delivered immediately. Monday the mood in Blacksburg got even better with the signing of two highly talented players for the 2020-21 season.
With such a young squad this season, there isn’t a lot of room to add new talent to the roster next year. Virginia Tech brought in just two players on National Letters of Intent Day, but still managed to land a top 35 recruiting class according to 247 Sports and Rivals.
First was Joe Bamisile, a 6’5” guard from Richmond, VA. The Monacan High School star is ranked by Rivals as the #61 player overall in the country and the 15th best guard. Other recruiting outlets have him as high as the #12 guard in his class.
Mike Young on Bamisile, “Joe is a tremendous fit for our university and our system. He can really shoot the ball and brings ACC-caliber athleticism from Day 1. But what attracted us the most is his ability to make plays for both himself and others. We are excited to add Joe to our program and is a welcome addition from inside the Commonwealth. We are excited to see Joe flourish at Virginia Tech!”
It's official!
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) November 18, 2019
We sign ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @rexjoee
Welcome to #HokieNation, Joe
» https://t.co/3zuoonyiDL#StoneByStone | #Hokies pic.twitter.com/tk0EKQUmi7
Joining him was fellow guard Darius Maddox, a 6’4” senior at Oak Hill Academy. All the main recruiting sites ranked Maddox in the 84-93rd best player range and anywhere from the #14 to #22 best guard in his class.
Coach Young on Maddox, “Darius possesses the size, speed, scoring ability and IQ of what we are looking for in our system. He has played for two tremendous programs in St. John’s College High School and in-state power Oak Hill Academy. He has done a tremendous job preparing himself for major college basketball. Darius comes from a great family and is a young man who wants to win, and we love that. We are excited to have him here as a Hokie!”
The fact that the only two additions for next year are both guards isn’t a surprise given Young’s system. Early in the season it’s been evident that he wants the Hokies the spread the floor, utilize the 3-point shot, and create lanes for the guards to drive.
Next season Tech fans could see these two new guards lining up alongside a more experienced side ready to content in the ACC once again. Wabissa Bede and P.J. Horne would be seniors. And the impressive current freshman class of Nolley, Alleyne, Cattoor, Radford, and Cone will have been through an entire season in Mike Young’s system. Bright days ahead for the Hokies.