Virginia Tech Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Hokies
Potential Reserves for Virginia Tech
Rodney Brown Jr. | 6'6 | 185 lbs.
All eyes are on Rodney Brown Jr. now as a name to step up in the Virginia Tech backcourt with the departure of Hysier Miller. Brown is a new face out of California, ironically a new addition to the ACC, who contributed as a freshman reserve in 2023-24. He averaged 3.5 points and 1.1 rebounds on 39.7 percent shooting from deep across 32 games. With more minutes on the horizon, look for him to grow into a role with this squad.
Jaden Schutt | 6'5 | 205 lbs.
Schutt is the lone transfer portal addition with ACC experience as he joins the Hokies program from the Duke Blue Devils. He redshirted the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury and redshirted this past season but he's clearly still got some juice left in the tank. He averaged 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds across 14 appearances with Duke in 2022-23. He's got the potential to operate as the ultimate Sixth Man depending on his health and development.
Ben Hammond | 5'11 | 170 lbs.
Hammond is a freshman with a lot on his shoulders heading into his freshman year in Blacksburg. He'll be looked upon in the early going to weather the storm with his backcourt skills and pedigree at the floor general spot. He's an alum of former Hokies guard Erick Green's high school, nationally-heralded Paul VI, in Virginia.
Ryan Jones Jr. | 6'8 | 240 lbs.
Jones is another freshman to keep eyes on in the Hokies' frontcourt as an addition. He'll be looked upon to anchor the center/forward spot behind Mylyjael Poteat and Ben Burnham to make his presence felt. He's got an ability to operate inside and out as well as rebound in bunches. Don't be surprised if he finds himself starting by season's end.
Patrick Wessler | 7'0 | 250 lbs.
Wessler got some experience under his belt, appearing in 13 games for the Hokies this past season. Look for his role to grow a ton with the loss of John Camden, Lynn Kidd and a number of others in the frontcourt as he continues his development.
Tyler Johnson | 6'5 | 215 lbs.
It wouldn't be surprising to see Johnson as the second or third man off the bench heading into his freshman year. He's a wiry prospect already at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds who can operate at a number of positions. Coach Young shouldn't hesitate with throwing him into the fire given this team's overall lack of experience.