Virginia Tech basketball: Tyrece Radford rejoins Buzz Williams at Texas A&M

Virginia Tech basketball star Tyrece Radford finally made his decision.

On Wednesday, Radford announced on Twitter he was transferring to Texas A&M. Yes, you read that correctly; he will be joining Buzz Williams with the Aggies.

This is a tough loss for the Hokies. Not only was Radford an integral part of Virginia Tech’s roster the past two years, he was expected to be a contender for All-ACC honors for an experienced and good Hokie team in 2021-22.

Radford surprised Virginia Tech fans when he unexpectedly entered the NCAA transfer portal in late June. It was apparently tied to Radford’s legal issues. Radford was arrested in January and charged with driving under the influence and carrying a concealed weapon. He was suspended from the team.

Radford reached a plea agreement with the Montgomery County courts on the DUI charge and pleaded no contest to the weapons charge. The judge agreed to take it under advisement for one year.

Radford then returned to the team. Head coach Mike Young publicly stood up for Radford in a major way.

Radford then had an interlock ignition device installed on his car. Per Mark Berman of the Roanoke Times via court files, Radford had a positive reading on the device on May 3. Per his attorney, Jimmy Turk, Radford was not supposed to have any alcohol.

This week, the judge dismissed the charges relating to the positive readings at the revocation hearing. It was also revealed Radford had a second positive reading.

At some point this summer, Radford requested the interlock device be removed from his car as he said he was moving back to Louisiana.

There are more details in Berman’s report.

This is a tough blow for the Hokies on the court. They should still have a really good team, though. Radford brought a unique skill set that is tough to replace. He is a good defender and the best rebounding guard in the college game.

Since the end of last season, the Hokies have lost Jalen Cone, Joe Bamisile and Radford to the transfer portal. You wonder if Cone or Bamisile may have stayed if they knew Radford would leave.

Young is an outstanding coach who is as positive of a human being as there is. He will not say anything negative about Radford or cry over his departure. He will view this as a “next man up” situation. But, considering he put so much into Radford and his success, you have to think this hurts Young a bit.

Anyhow, thank you to Radford for some incredible moments on the court with the Hokies over the last two seasons. And good luck at Texas A&M.