By: StLouHoo
@HoosPlace
This is the third and last installment of our three part series recapping the offseason roster moves for all 18 ACC teams. Two weeks ago, we took on Boston College through Georgia Tech. Last week it was Louisville through Pittsburgh. Today we’ll dive into the last six ACC teams in SMU through Wake Forest.
As always, we’ll try and get a feel for how strong of a roster these teams are fielding going into the season. Going into October, we’ll tie a bow around it all by racking and stacking these teams into our first Power Ranking of the season. So, let’s not waste any more time.
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| Player | 2024-2025 Stats | |
|---|---|---|
| Departures | G Chuck Harris (Graduated) | 35 G, 27.3 mpg, 12.9 ppg, 2.7 apg, 42% 3P% |
| G/F Kario Oquendo (Graduated) | 35 G, 23.5 mpg, 11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 42% 3P% | |
| SF AJ George (Transferred to Cal State – Bakersfield) | 22 G, 6.5 mpg, 2 ppg, 1 rpg, 33% 3P% | |
| PF Matt Cross (Graduated) | 34 G, 29.4 mpg, 11.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 49% FG% | |
| PF Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Graduated) | 35 G, 12.1 mpg, 4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 56% FG% | |
| PF Tibet Gorener (Graduated) | 30 G, 7.8 mpg, 1.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 43% FG% | |
| F/C Yohan Traore (Transferred to Butler) | 32 G, 15.6 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 50% FG% | |
| F/C Jerrell Colbert (Transferred to McNeese State) | 33 G, 8.4 mpg, 2.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 64% FG% | |
| Returners | PG Kevin Miller (RS SR) | 28 G, 29.2 mpg, 13.2 ppg, 5.5 apg, 34% 3P% |
| G B.J. Edwards (SR) | 35 G, 29.4 mpg, 9.9 ppg, 3.7 apg, 34% 3P% | |
| C Samet Yigitoglu (SO) | 32 G, 24.5 mpg, 10 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 54% FG% | |
| Additions | G/F Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (4-star FR) | |
| G/F Jaron Pierre Jr. (SR+ Transfer, Jacksonville State) | 36 G, 37.6 mpg, 21.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 38% 3P% | |
| SF BJ Davis-Ray (3-star FR) | ||
| SF Corey Washington (SR Transfer, Wichita State) | 34 G, 26.7 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 35% 3P% | |
| F Chance Puryear (3-star RS FR) | ||
| F Billy White III (4-star FR) | ||
| F/C Jaden Toombs (4-star FR) | ||
| F/C Nigel Walls (4-star FR) | ||
| F/C Sam Walters (JR Transfer, Michigan) | 23 G, 12.7 mpg, 5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 43% FG% | |
| F/C Mitchell Holmes (3-star RS FR) |
It’s the second year of SMU’s tenure in the ACC, and also the second year of Andy Enfield’s (previously at Southern Cal and FGCU) tenure in Dallas. The Mustangs made Enfield an offer he couldn’t refuse last year, luring him from USC after being an NCAAT team* six of his final nine seasons in Los Angeles (*assuming they were on track to be selected in 2020), believing he could engineer similar success in a new conference. SMU finished tied for 4th in the ACC last year, but a lack of Q1 wins cursed them to the wrong side of the Bubble and they went to the NIT instead. Expectations to get over the hump this year are high with three starters returning.
Former Wake Forest star Kevin “Boopie” Miller (13.2 ppg, 5.5 apg, 34% 3P%) is back after winning 3rd team all-ACC honors last season and projects to be one of the league’s most proven guards, and he brings back running mate BJ Edwards (9.9 ppg, 3.7 apg, 34% 3P%, ACC all-defense team) as well who is capable of playing both guard spots. They brought in a pair of veteran transfers to compete for the 3rd guard spot and provide depth: Jacksonville State’s Jason Pierre Jr (21.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 38% 3P%, EvanMiya #216 transfer) and Wichita State wing Corey Washington (13.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 35% 3P%, #136-ranked transfer), both of whom likely to be immediately ACC ready. Additional guard depth projects to come from rookie wing Jermaine O’Neal Jr (247sports #115-ranked 2025 recruit).
The front court is being built around incumbent sophomore center Samet Yigitoglu (10 ppg, 6.2 rpg), a breakout presence last year in his first season in the US. There are a lot of questions surrounding him, though, as the only front court transfer they landed was low-usage Michigan big Sam Walters (5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, EvanMiya #219 transfer), a former Top 100 recruit who’s aimlessly bounced around power conference benches the last couple of seasons. Enfield has a trio of high-rated rookie bigs competing to join the post rotation in Jaden Toombs (#30-ranked 2025 recruit), Nigel Walls (#82-ranked 2025 recruit), and Billy White (#87-ranked 2025 recruit).
The lack of experience surrounding Yigitoglu in the front court is going to put a hard cap on SMU’s upside. They likely will struggle defensively in the paint and on the glass against more physical, aggressive teams as a result. But with four proven senior guards on the perimeter, the Mustangs should do enough to be competitive most nights and probably win more than they lose. An NIT repeat is the most likely end result, finishing a couple games over .500 in the ACC yet again.
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| Player | 2024-2025 Stats | |
|---|---|---|
| Departures | PG Jaylen Blakes (Graduated) | 32 G, 31 mpg, 13.1 ppg, 4.7 apg, 30% 3P% |
| SF Oziyah Sellers (Transferred to St John’s) | 35 G, 33.1 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 40% 3P% | |
| C Maxime Raynaud (Graduated) | 35 G, 33.5 mpg, 20.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 47% FG% | |
| Returners | PG Benny Gealer (SR) | 32 G, 20.4 mpg, 6 ppg, 2 apg, 37% 3P% |
| G Anthony Batson Jr. (SO) | 20 G, 5.1 mpg, 1 ppg, 0.3 apg, 0% 3P% | |
| SF Ryan Agarwal (RS JR) | 35 G, 27.1 mpg, 7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 29% 3P% | |
| F Evan Stinson (SO) | 17 G, 11.1 mpg, 2.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 26% 3P% | |
| F Jaylen Thompson (RS SO) | 20 G, 5.8 mpg, 1.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 18% 3P% | |
| F Cameron Grant (SO) | 10 G, 4.9 mpg, 1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 36% 3P% | |
| PF Chisom Okpara (SR) | 35 G, 16.3 mpg, 6.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 50% FG% | |
| PF Donavin Young (SO) | 19 G, 17.3 mpg, 3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 46% FG% | |
| F/C Aidan Cammann (SO) | 35 G, 17.3 mpg, 2.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 51% FG% | |
| C Tallis Toure (SO) | 16 G, 5 mpg, 1.1 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 40% FG% | |
| Additions | G Ebuka Okorie (4-star FR) | |
| G Jeremy Dent-Smith (SR Transfer, JUCO) | ||
| SG Myles Jones (3-star FR) | ||
| F/C Kristers Skrinda (3-star FR) | ||
| F/C Oskar Giltay (4-star FR) |
Like SMU, the Stanford opted to start fresh in the ACC last season with a new head coach. The Cardinal elected to bring in Washington State overachiever Kyle Smith (former Pac-12 coach of the year), who took Wazzu to the NCAAT 2nd Round just as the Pac-12 finally imploded and the Cougars were left on the outside looking in. His first season at Stanford arguably went better than expected, finishing with a winning ACC record and making the NIT on the backs of three high-production seniors. But with those key seniors having graduated, he’ll need a number of incumbent role players to step up into bigger roles, and rookies to arrive Day 1 ready, as Stanford’s Ivy-like academics effectively killed their ability to recruit from the transfer portal this offseason.
Rising senior Benny Gealer (6 ppg, 2 apg) emerges from Jaylen Blakes’ shadow to take on the lead guard duties, having been fairly effective in a 6th man role a year ago. Returning 4th year wing Ryan Agarwal (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) will be leaned on for more scoring, though his shooting percentages will need to improve. That also goes for the returning wing-forward Evan Stinson (2.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg) in line for a 6th man role as he becomes an upperclassman. The most likely rookie to join the rotation is low-4-star guard Ebuka Okorie (247sports’ #118 2025 recruit) with JUCO 5th year Jeremy Dent-Smith a wildcard.
While the Cardinal will miss all-ACC Maxime Raynaud in the middle, they do return a trio of rotation big men contributors in senior Chisom Okpara (6.5 ppg, 2 rpg), sophomore Donavin Young (3.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and sophomore Aidan Cammann (2.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), all of whom logged between 16 and 19 minutes a game last year, There is some optimism Smith can coach them to improved reliability, while their highest ranked recruit Oskar Giltay (247sports #57 recruit) jumps right into the rotation.
This is going to be one of those high-floor / low ceiling kinds of teams that lacks star power but has just enough in the way of continuity and coaching to be a tough out. Stanford, not being a transfer portal player, is going with a long term approach utilizing home grown players, and will have as few as 3 or 4 upperclassmen in the rotation. The goal for this squad, being realistic, is another .500 finish (though I think they finish just short) while developing the young core and keeping them together for a big step forward next season.
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| Player | 2024-2025 Stats | |
|---|---|---|
| Departures | PG Jaquan Carlos (Graduated) | 33 G, 28.7 mpg, 6.2 ppg, 4.1 apg, 32% 3P% |
| G Kyle Cuffe Jr. (Transferred to Mercer) | 30 G, 12.3 mpg, 5.1 ppg, 0.5 apg, 30% 3P% | |
| SG Elijah Moore (Transferred to Utah) | 26 G, 15.7 mpg, 5.2 ppg, 1 apg, 32% 3P% | |
| G/F Lucas Taylor (Graduated) | 33 G, 21.5 mpg, 6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 37% 3P% | |
| SF Chris Bell (Transferred to California) | 33 G, 21.5 mpg, 9.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 35% 3P% | |
| F Jyare Davis (Graduated) | 33 G, 24.7 mpg, 9.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 43% 3P% | |
| PF Petar Majstorovic (Transferred to Long Beach State) | 31 G, 13.3 mpg, 2.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 48% FG% | |
| C Eddie Lampkin Jr. (Graduated) | 33 G, 29.9 mpg, 11.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 60% FG% | |
| C Naheem McLeod (Graduated) | 18 G, 6.7 mpg, 2.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 83% FG% | |
| Returners | SG JJ Starling (SR) | 26 G, 34.6 mpg, 17.8 ppg, 2.8 apg, 27% 3P% |
| PF Donnie Freeman (SO) | 14 G, 25.5 mpg, 13.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 50% FG% | |
| Additions | G Naithan George (JR Transfer, Georgia Tech) | 34 G, 35.6 mpg, 12.3 ppg, 6.5 apg, 34% 3P% |
| SG Bryce Zephir (RS SR Transfer, Montana State) | 29 G, 19.6 mpg, 5.3 ppg, 2.1 apg, 30% 3P% | |
| G/F Kiyan Anthony (4-star FR) | ||
| G/F Nate Kingz (SO Transfer, Oregon State) | 31 G, 27.6 mpg, 11.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 45% 3P% | |
| SF Luke Fennell (4-star FR) | ||
| SF Aaron Womack (3-star FR) | ||
| PF Sadiq White (4-star FR) | ||
| PF William Kyle III (RS SR Transfer, UCLA) | 32 G, 9.8 mpg, 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 70% FG% | |
| PF Tyler Betsey (SO Transfer, Cincinnati) | 34 G, 11.2 mpg, 3.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 36% FG% | |
| PF Ibrahim Souare (SO Transfer, Georgia Tech) | 30 G, 17 mpg, 2.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 60% FG% | |
| C Tiefing Diawara (3-star FR) |
Red Autry’s head coaching career got off to a decent start two years ago when he won 20 games and finished tied for 5th in the ACC in 2023-24. But Jim Boeheim’s handpicked successor took a step back last year, finishing 14-19 (7-13), suffering from the losses of Judah Mintz and Maliq Brown while struggling with cohesiveness in trying to work in a number of transfers. The “new faces” struggle is magnified this year, however, as Autry returns only two players from last year’s rotation, welcoming six transfers and five freshmen to upstate New York this offseason.
Honorable mention all-ACC guard JJ Starling (17.8 ppg, 2.8 apg, 27% 3P%) returns at the shooting guard spot, and gets an exciting backcourt running mate in fellow honorable mention all-ACC point guard Naithan George (12.3 ppg, 6.5 apg, 34% 3P%, EvanMiya #54 transfer). While shooting for these two will be a concern, maturity won’t be, as they can comfortably eat up 70 minutes a night at the 1-2. This will allow Montana State transfer Bryce Zephir (EvanMiya #1140 transfer) to remain as emergency depth only while working in blue-chip rookie and Orange legacy Kiyan Anthony (247sports #32 recruit, son of Carmelo) at the 2 spot. Oregon State transfer wing Nate Kingz (11.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 45% 3P%, EvanMiya #60 transfer) provides shooting as the 3rd guard while additional rookies (highlighted by low-4-star wing Luke Fennell) get a chance to develop.
Former 5-star prospect Donnie Freeman (13.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg) is back for his sophomore season looking to improve his draft stock, but the Orange have a ton of question marks surrounding him in the front court. Top prospect Sadiq White (#26 overall recruit in the 2025 class) has a ton of upside and should get a chance to serve as Freeman’s primary backup, and maybe even platoon some together at the 3/4, but neither are big enough (Freeman and White are listed at 6’9″, 205 and 195 pounds, respectively) to play the 5. Autry will be looking at a trio of low-profile transfers to build out his post rotation, with UCLA’s William Kyle, GT’s Ibrahim Souare, and Cincinnati’s Tyler Betsey combining for just 9.0 ppg and 6.9 rpg at their previous destinations last year. All three at least have the size to play center as needed, and along with international rookie Tiefing Diawara (checking in at 7’0″ 240 lbs), the Orange are hoping at least 40 minutes of capable role playing emerge.
The pieces are there on paper for a better-than-.500 league finish, especially with George being brought in as a proven option at the point and another Top-100 transfer on the wing. Veteran guard play still matters, and the Orange have a nice tight rotation to work with, even if they are going to need to ride their starters pretty hard. There’s a cap on their upside until the center position settles itself out, but at least there’s an ample number of bodies to play with. The question one has to ask is how much you trust Autry to put the pieces together after struggling with a similar amount of reloading and integration a year ago. For right now, putting them in that middle tier of the league feels like a safe bet.
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| Player | 2024-2025 Stats | |
|---|---|---|
| Departures | G Andrew Rohde (Transferred to Wisconsin) | 30 G, 30.9 mpg, 9.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, 41% 3P% |
| G Dai Dai Ames (Transferred to California) | 31 G, 25.7 mpg, 8.7 ppg, 1.9 apg, 40% 3P% | |
| SG Isaac McKneely (Transferred to Louisville) | 32 G, 34.4 mpg, 14.4 ppg, 2.9 apg, 42% 3P% | |
| G/F Taine Murray (Graduated) | 31 G, 18.7 mpg, 4.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 42% 3P% | |
| SF Ishan Sharma (Transferred to St Louis) | 29 G, 12.8 mpg, 3.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 33% 3P% | |
| PF Elijah Saunders (Transferred to Maryland) | 29 G, 26.8 mpg, 10.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 42% FG% | |
| PF Jacob Cofie (Transferred to Southern Cal) | 32 G, 20.8 mpg, 7.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 50% FG% | |
| PF TJ Power (Transferred to Penn) | 24 G, 9.4 mpg, 1.3 ppg, 1 rpg, 21% FG% | |
| F/C Anthony Robinson (Transferred to Xavier) | 26 G, 9.2 mpg, 3.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 72% FG% | |
| C Blake Buchanan (Transferred to Iowa State) | 32 G, 22 mpg, 5.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 53% FG% | |
| Returners | G/F Elijah Gertrude (RS SO) | 16 G, 9.4 mpg, 3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 7% 3P% |
| F/C Carter Lang (RS SO) | 24 G, 11.6 mpg, 1.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 43% FG% | |
| Additions | PG Chance Mallory (4-star FR) | |
| G Dallin Hall (SR Transfer, BYU) | 32 G, 24.6 mpg, 6.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 35% 3P% | |
| SG Jacari White (SR+ Transfer, North Dakota State) | 31 G, 30.8 mpg, 17.1 ppg, 2.3 apg, 40% 3P% | |
| SG Malik Thomas (RS SR Transfer, San Francisco) | 34 G, 31.8 mpg, 19.9 ppg, 2.1 apg, 39% 3P% | |
| SF Sam Lewis (JR Transfer, Toledo) | 33 G, 31.5 mpg, 16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 44% 3P% | |
| F Devin Tillis (RS SR Transfer, UC-Irvine) | 38 G, 29.7 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 40% 3P% | |
| PF Martin Carrere (3-star RS FR) | ||
| F/C Silas Barksdale (4-star FR) | ||
| PF Thijs De Ridder (JR International) | ||
| F/C Johann Grunloh (FR International) | ||
| C Ugonna Onyenso (SR Transfer, Kansas State) | 24 G, 11 mpg, 2.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 70% FG% |
The Tony Bennett / Ron Sanchez era sputtered to a finish last season before UVA brought in VCU coach (and previous UMBC upset architect) Ryan Odom to take over the program. Odom has engineered successful takeovers at Utah State and VCU since his breakthrough 16-seed win, even if only staying for a couple of seasons at each spot before moving up the ladder. His NCAAT berths have come in the 2nd season at each of his prior two stops; can he buck that trend to get UVA back to the Dance in Year 1? If he does, he’s doing it with an entirely rebuilt depth chart from last season.
Virginia’s starting backcourt will almost certainly feature all Seniors. Coming in to run the point is a former BYU Cougar, senior Dallin Hall (6.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 35% 3P%, EvanMiya #64 transfer) is a low volume but high efficiency veteran with multiple years of Big XII experience. The likely 2-guard spot goes to North Dakota State’s sharpshooting Jacari White (17.1 ppg, 2.3 apg, 40% 3P%, #190-ranked transfer), who was 2nd team all-Summit last year and landed on the league’s all-defense team the year prior. The third starting guard projects to be 1st Team all-WCC volume scorer Malik Thomas (19.9 ppg, 2.1 apg, 39% 3P%, #62) while the Hoos also have three additional quality-looking reserve options in Toledo transfer wing Sam Lewis (16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 44% 3P%, 2nd team all-MAC) and former 4-stars Elijah Gertrude (247sports’ #48 recruit in 2023, coming off two seasons effectively lost to ACL injuries) and rookie Chance Mallory (#55 recruit in 2025 class).
The front court is was rebuilt entirely from scratch and has a high-risk / high-reward feeling in its construction. The most proven piece of the puzzle is UC Irvine transfer Devin Tillis (13.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 40% 3P%, EvanMiya #35-ranked transfer), an offensive sparkplug at the 4 and 2nd-team All Big West winner, who nonetheless may end up a bit undersized as a 4 in the ACC, concerns defensively and on the glass. He may ultimately be leapfrogged at power forward by highly-touted international Thijs de Ridder (Nick Kalinowski’s #6 overall international prospect) who posted good numbers in the Spanish Liga ACB (arguably Europe’s best pro league). Fellow international Johann Grünloh (Kalinowki’s #5 international prospect) arrives at center, but while he is getting some draft buzz, it’s more of an upside play as he is younger and a little less proven from his time in the German Bundesliga. Former Top 50 recruit Ugonna Onyenso (2.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg at Kansas State) will take on a bigger role by necessity while Grünloh gets up to speed in the US, hoping to finally make good on the promise he showed previously at Kentucky as an underclassmen.
UVA has a lot of pieces that look good on paper, but obviously it’s a big experiment asking Odom to put it all together in just a couple of months, especially as a number of his key transfers are getting promoted from smaller leagues (Big West, WCC, MAC, Summit) or have never played D-1 ball at all (two key internationals). Only Hall and Onyenso have multiple years of high major experience under their belt. So the upside is there, but inconsistency and growing pains are also likely on deck. I’ll be a homer and predict an NCAAT finish, but do think there are some cold nights that keep them from truly challenging at the top of the ACC.
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| Player | 2024-2025 Stats | |
|---|---|---|
| Departures | PG Brandon Rechsteiner (Transferred to Colorado State) | 32 G, 22.2 mpg, 7 ppg, 2.8 apg, 30% 3P% |
| SG Jaydon Young (Transferred to North Carolina) | 32 G, 22.4 mpg, 8.1 ppg, 1.4 apg, 30% 3P% | |
| SF Rodney Brown Jr. (Transferred to Loyola Marymount) | 18 G, 15.1 mpg, 4.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 42% 3P% | |
| PF Ben Burnham (Graduated) | 32 G, 22 mpg, 7.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 45% FG% | |
| F/C Mylyjael Poteat (Graduated) | 31 G, 21.8 mpg, 9.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 55% FG% | |
| F/C Ryan Jones Jr. (Transferred to Liberty) | 5 G, 2 mpg, 1.2 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 60% FG% | |
| C Patrick Wessler (Transferred to UNC Wilmington) | 31 G, 10.6 mpg, 3.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 63% FG% | |
| Returners | PG Ben Hammond (SO) | 29 G, 19.5 mpg, 5.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 50% 3P% |
| G/F Jaden Schutt (RS JR) | 32 G, 26.2 mpg, 7.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 36% 3P% | |
| SF Tyler Johnson (SO) | 32 G, 25.5 mpg, 6.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 35% 3P% | |
| PF Toibu Lawal (SR) | 30 G, 26.4 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 56% FG% | |
| Additions | SG Izaiah Pasha (SO Transfer, Delaware) | 34 G, 29.8 mpg, 11.9 ppg, 3.9 apg, 33% 3P% |
| SG Jailen Bedford (SR+ Transfer, UNLV) | 33 G, 23.3 mpg, 10.2 ppg, 1.2 apg, 35% 3P% | |
| F Neoklis Avdalas (5-star FR) | ||
| F Sincere Jones (4-star FR) | ||
| F/C Christian Gurdak (4-star FR) | ||
| F/C Amani Hansberry (JR Transfer, West Virginia) | 31 G, 23.6 mpg, 9.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 43% FG% | |
| C Solomon Davis (3-star FR) | ||
| C Antonio Dorn (3-star FR) |
The Mike Young era has lost some shine going into his 7th season in Blacksburg. The Hokies won an at-large bid to the Dance in 2021, finishing third in the ACC, and a year later won the ACCT out of the 7-spot en route to a second straight NCAAT berth. But those were followed up by two straight NIT years, and last year the Hokies went 13-19 (8-12), missing the postseason altogether. Virginia Tech has struggled in the NIL era, seeing a number of top players leave for paydays after the 2023-24 season and making few waves in the Portal. But Young remains a top program builder and X’s and O’s coach, even if on a budget, so there’s still hope he can overperform going into the new season.
Rising second year point guard Ben Hammond (5.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 50% 3P%) has a big opportunity ahead of himself as he assumes a starting role, coming off a promising rookie campaign where he posted the 14th best assist rate and 6th best steal rate in the ACC, while knocking down half of his 3’s on low volume. The Hokies have a number of perimeter options to work with at the 2 and 3 spots, including a pair of returners in RS Junior Jaden Schutt (7.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 36% 3P%) and rising sophomore Tyler Johnson (6.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 35% 3P%). Competing with them are two mid-tier transfers, Delaware’s Izaiah Pasha (11.9 ppg, 3.9 apg, EvanMiya #326 transfer) and UNLV’s Jailen Bedford (10.2 ppg, 35% 3P%, EvanMiya #535 transfer), as well as high-profile Euro wing Neoklis Avdalas (Kalinowski’s #19 overall international, projected 2nd rounder 2026 Draft). This could be a platoon situation where no one breaks out as a double digit scorer, but there’s plenty of playable depth so the Hokies shouldn’t need to worry about going to their bench, and can even go four-out as needed.
One of the ACC’s biggest glue guys returns in senior forward Toibu Lawal (12.4 ppg, 7 rpg), who can play either front court spot as needed. He’ll start at the 4, though, as the Hokies were able to grab West Virginia center Amani Hansberry (9.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, EvanMiya #104 transfer) to start inside. Depth on the inside is going to be a concern, as both the vets are ~25 mpg types, and they have only rookies backing them up. 3/4-type-forward Sincere Jones *247sports #149 2025 recruit) and combo big Christian Gurdak (247sports #116 recruit) have some good long-term upside but may struggle early, and international big Antonio Dorn (Kalinowski’s #190-ranked international prospect) doesn’t project as instant impact either.
The guard depth and quality of the starting forward pair, coupled with Mike Young’s bona fides as a “do more with less” kind of coach, makes me quietly bullish on the Hokies. I don’t think they have NCAAT upside, not with the ACC’s prestige as diminished as it is (making the bar-to-clear for at-large selection much higher), but getting back to .500 or better in the league is certainly in play, as would be a respectable return to the NIT.
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| Player | 2024-2025 Stats | |
|---|---|---|
| Departures | PG Ty-Laur Johnson (Transferred to San Diego) | 29 G, 23.5 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 2.7 apg, 24% 3P% |
| G Hunter Sallis (Graduated) | 32 G, 35.9 mpg, 18.3 ppg, 2.8 apg, 28% 3P% | |
| SG Cameron Hildreth (Graduated) | 31 G, 33.7 mpg, 14.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 31% 3P% | |
| SG Parker Friedrichsen (Transferred to Davidson) | 31 G, 14.6 mpg, 3.2 ppg, 0.6 apg, 25% 3P% | |
| G/F Davin Cosby Jr. (Transferred to Kennesaw State) | 17 G, 15.6 mpg, 5.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 31% 3P% | |
| F/C Efton Reid (Graduated) | 31 G, 29.5 mpg, 8.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 55% FG% | |
| C Churchill Abass (Transferred to New Orleans) | 15 G, 7 mpg, 1.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 44% FG% | |
| Returners | F Tre’Von Spillers (SR+) | 32 G, 33.3 mpg, 9.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 29% 3P% |
| F Juke Harris (SO) | 31 G, 19 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 30% 3P% | |
| PF Omaha Biliew (JR) | 13 G, 9.5 mpg, 2.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 52% FG% | |
| Additions | PG Nate Calmese (SR Transfer, Washington State) | 33 G, 30.2 mpg, 15.2 ppg, 4.4 apg, 29% 3P% |
| G Sebastian Akins (SO Transfer, Denver) | 32 G, 25.6 mpg, 12.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 30% 3P% | |
| SG Isaac Carr (4-star FR) | ||
| SG Jaylen Cross (3-star FR) | ||
| G/F Myles Colvin (JR Transfer, Purdue) | 36 G, 17.8 mpg, 5.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 31% 3P% | |
| G/F Mekhi Mason (JR Transfer, Washington) | 31 G, 24.3 mpg, 9.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 40% 3P% | |
| PF Cooper Schwieger (JR Transfer, Valparaiso) | 34 G, 32.7 mpg, 15.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 49% FG% | |
| PF Marqus Marion (3-star RS FR) | ||
| F/C Dimitrije Kovacevic (3-star FR) |
Steve Forbes was a good looking hire when he arrived from ETSU in 2020, having won the SoCon twice in the previous four years, never having finished worse than 3rd in that league over his five year tenure. But while he’s repeatedly had Wake performing above average in the ACC, his only losing league record occurring in his initial 2020-21 (COVID altered) campaign, he also hasn’t gotten the Deacons over the hump into the NCAA Tournament. He does have two NIT appearances and three 20+-win seasons to show for his effort, but if they couldn’t get over the hump with 2-time 1st-team all-ACC guard Hunter Sallis running the show for two years, what will they do without him? One has to wonder how much more leash the leadership at Wake Forest gives him to break through.
With no returning players from the back court, Forbes’ perimeter will be made up entirely of transfers and rookies. Former Wazzu point guard Nate Calmese (15.2 ppg, 4.4 apg, 29% 3P%, EvanMiya #293 transfer) is the projected starter at the 1-spot, with three additional transfers in competition to play on the wings. Washington transfer Mekhi Mason (9.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 40% 3P%, #287-ranked transfer) is a likely starter at one of the other guard spots, having posted steady numbers in the B1G last year. But Denver transfer Sebastian Akins (12.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 30% 3P%, #766-ranked transfer) was inefficient and may struggle in the move to the ACC, while Purdue transfer Myles Colvin (5.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 31% 3P%, #353 transfer) needs to prove he can handle a bigger role. If any freshman is to crack the perimeter rotation, it’s likely 4-star guard Isaac Carr (247sports’ #137 recruit in the 2025 class) but his ceiling this year is likely as a reserve.
The Deacons are hoping returning forward Tre’Von Spillers (9.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg) has one last step forward to take after faring well in his first high-major season last year. He’s a workhorse at 30+mpg, largely covering one of the forward spots for Forbes, but the Deacons will need Valpo transfer Cooper Schwieger (15.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, #208-ranked transfer, 2nd-team MVC All-Conference) to be ready for the jump up to the ACC at the 5-spot. In reserve, the Deacs need a pair of former blue chip recruits in Omaha Biliew (#13 recruit in the 2023 class) and Juke Harris (#100 ranked prospect in 2024) to elevate their games, with Biliew hopefully able to back up Schwieger at the 5-spot as neither of the freshmen may be ready this year.
I just don’t have faith that Forbes brought in the guards he needs to keep the Deacons above .500. They’re not bad, per se, but I don’t think there’s enough consistency there, with no system continuity or established chemistry, to be a team to beat in the league. The forward situation is admittedly good-looking… the quartet of Spillers, Biliew, Harris, and Schwieger is promising, and can keep the Deacons competitive enough to be in it most nights. But the most realistic scenario here is another .500 league finish, upside of another NIT berth, but highly unlikely this is the roster that finally gets Forbes his first NCAAT berth in Wake Forest, maybe putting his employment in jeopardy as a result.
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Cuts Note: That wraps Part #3 of StLouHoo’s ACC Capsules. Coming up, look for a power ranking from him and a pre-season preview piece from me.
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