Virginia Tech basketball: Hokies add a talented transfer for 2021-22

One of the biggest knocks on the 2020-21 Virginia Tech men’s basketball team is the lack of a scoring point guard. Senior Wabissa Bede is outstanding in several facets. He is a terrific ballhandler, distributor, leader, and on-ball defender, but he isn’t a scorer.

There are times in the middle of a Virginia Tech game where Bede is left open and prefers to pass up the shot. He only shoots 34% from the field when he does shoot, including just 24.5% from 3-point range.

When any combination of Hunter Cattoor, Jalen Cone, Tyrece Radford, or Nyhiem Alleyne is struggling from the perimeter, Tech needs someone else to be able to stand up.

On Saturday, the Hokies may have found their answer, but they’ll have to wait until 2021-22.

Storm Murphy, a 6-foot-0, 180-pound point guard from Wofford, announced on Twitter he was spending his final college season in Blacksburg under his former head coach, Mike Young.

This is a big-time get for Young and the Hokies.

Murphy played four years for Wofford, starting a total of 119 games for the Terriers. He averaged 17.8 points per game and 4.3 assists per contest this past season. He is a career 40% 3-point shooter, too.

Murphy has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic granting college athletes a “free year” of eligibility. Young has said recently that Bede might also return to the team in 2021-2022, giving the Hokies plenty of depth and experience at the point.

The Hokies are set to return all of their key contributors for next season’s team, barring any unexpected attrition.

Murphy gives the Hokies another strong ballhandler, scorer, and shooter for next season.

If you haven’t seen Murphy play, you are missing out. He’s fun to watch.

Perhaps you know him from this.

Welcome to Blacksburg, Storm.

Too bad Young can’t put him on the roster for next week’s NCAA Tournament.