Virginia Basketball: Impact of incoming transfer forward Ben Vander Plas
By Shea Irish
Approximately a year and one month ago, Virginia Basketball fans weren’t very thrilled when hearing the name Ben Vander Plas. In Virginia’s 2021 NCAA Tournament matchup with his Ohio Bobcats, the 6’8” forward scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out four assists to lead the 13th seeded MAC champions to a first-round upset that ended the Cavaliers‘ season.
Now, Vander Plas will go from enemy to ally, announcing on Saturday that he would be transferring to play on Tony Bennett’s team for his last season of eligibility. The Virginia coach’s familiarity with the Vander Plas family could have played an important role in his decision. Bennett played with Ben’s father Dean at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in the early 1990s.
“BVP” as the star forward is often referred to, was a 1st Team All-MAC selection this past year. He was also the 2019 MAC Freshman of the Year and a two-time 3rd Team All-MAC selection over his four seasons in Athens, OH.
The Ripon, WI native averaged 14.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, and connected on 67 three-pointers during a season in which the Bobcats started the year with a program-best 22-4. He has scored 1,574 points, hauled in 758 rebounds, and made over 200 three-pointers in his career to date.
He displayed an impressive shooting range all the way out to the beginning of the center court logo on many occasions last season. At 6’8″ with the ability to pick and pop, he was a nightmare to match up within the MAC, and that should translate over to the ACC as well.
Vander Plas will have a significant role in deciding The fate of Virginia for the 2022-23 season. His scoring mentality and veteran presence will provide an immediate impact, whether it be as a starter or the sixth man. Regardless, the fans from Charlottesville have one hope in mind; that the tournament magic he exhibited on the opposing side of the floor in 2021 will carry over for their beloved Cavaliers in March 2023.