ACC Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

Mekhi Long – 6’7 Wing/Forward – Virginia Tech Hokies

The Virginia Tech Hokies have found relative success in the transfer portal over the past few seasons with the likes of Grant Basile and Justyn Mutts, both now departed from the ACC ranks. Mekhi Long is the latest versatile forward import out of Old Dominion in the Sun Belt that will look to find his footing with the Hokies.

Long really found his stride producing in the Monarchs rotation in 2022-23, putting up 10.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.5 spg and 1.3 apg on 35.9 percent shooting from 3-point range and 43.8 percent shooting from the field.

He’s a 6-foot-7 forward that will look to fill the void left by the departure of Justyn Mutts as a presence on the perimeter and in the painted area that can defend multiple spots on the floor.

Long recorded a career-high 11 double-doubles in 2022-23 and was a Top 10 finisher in total steals over the past two seasons with Old Dominion in both the Conference USA (2021-22) and Sun Belt Conference (2022-23) as he accumulated a total of 98 steals across both seasons.

He snagged a career-high 19 rebounds (7 offensive) to go along with 19 points and 7-of-10 shooting from the field back on Jan. 28, 2023 against Coastal Carolina. His career-high scoring outing came a few months before that on Nov. 7 against Maryland-Eastern Shore where he dropped 25 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the floor and 10-of-10 shooting from the free throw line.

With his ability to defend, rebound the ball, and knock down shots on the perimeter, he’s certainly got the potential to emerge in the Hokies’ rotation as a 3-and-D prospect. Head coach Mike Young has certainly found a way to tap into his players and get the most out of them and Long is one of three transfers out of the portal that he’ll look to get the most out of in 2023-24.