Virginia currently has four scholarships available by 2021. All rankings per Prep Hoops.
Group A: All in
The Facts: Reid has visited UVA several times over the past few years, twice since September,most recently for the home opener. Bennett has been to Richmond three times since Fall to see the big man, including opening day of the recruiting period. He doesn’t disclose offers, so we don’t know for sure who all has officially thrown their hats in the ring. Other visits to North Carolina, NC State, and Ohio State. Georgetown is heavily involved as well.
My 2 cents: If you’ve followed recruiting under Bennett, you know the drill. He’s getting the early full court press, Virginia is on him harder than anyone else is. With the multiple visits, it’s promising. But as always in these spots, we’re not paced for a marathon. By Spring, UVA needs this to start moving toward a final decision. Kentucky is lurking, and will be a major threat as always if they choose.
The Facts: UVA’s first true offer to the 2021 class went to Keels. The earlier ones were all to guys that we knew would likely reclassify up. Bennett has been to see him three times from Sept to early Jan. Trevor was on an official visit during banner raising weekend. He’s taken other trips to Villanova, Maryland, and Ohio State. Update: Duke and Michigan offered in December.
My 2 cents: Keels has been one of the high school season’s biggest stock risers. UVA is fully invested, but he’s getting into territory where he could go just about anywhere he wants. Until his recruitment settles in, there’s no read on it. Villanova is the other coming hardest.
The Facts: Holmes grabbed UVA’s attention in July at the Under Armour Finals. Coach Soderberg kept tabs, and stopped in on his September west coast tour. Once an offer came his way, DaRon took an official visit for the home opener in early November. Coach Bennett made the rare in-season recruiting trip to see him in late December. Other visits to Arizona, USC, Kansas, and Marquette.
My 2 cents: A versatile defender with a developing perimeter game, he’s being recruited in a different slot than the more traditional big men Furst and Reid. UVA seems to have made a very strong impression on his visit. He’s clearly being treated as a top priority since, as evidenced by Bennett’s time. USC and Arizona are on him hard. Texas Tech recently jumped in. This is going to go on a while, but UVA has as good of a chance as anyone.
Group B: Light Pressure
The Facts: Bennett watched Caleb all summer before offering after the final live period. He took an official visit in late September. Tony has been up there once, Williford another time. He’s been a busy guy with trips to Michigan State and Purdue each twice along with Indiana, Ohio State, and Notre Dame. North Carolina has recently gotten involved too (Jan).
My 2 cents: There’s an argument to be made that Caleb is the better on-court fit of the big men, but he’s received less early attention than Efton Reid. Bennett pacing himself, not pushing hard, could turn out to be the smart play. Despite Caleb’s many visits, Indiana sources believe this will be a marathon recruitment. Pulling him out of Big 10 country will be a challenge though.
The Facts: Christie was offered after Too 100 camp in June. Bennett made a September trip to see him, and Williford did again in October. He’s taken a few unofficial visits to Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Purdue. Northwestern, where his parents attended, is a top contender as well.
My 2 cents: I can’t find any reason for optimism. He’s sorta punting his recruitment for now, which isn’t what we want to see. In an interview just days after Bennett was there, he rattled off a list of schools involved without a Virginia mention.
Group C: Ifs and Maybes
Carter Whitt 6’3 PG Leesville (NC) Ranked #100
Offered 10/18, visited 2/19. Competition: Boston College, Indiana
The Facts: Carter is considering a move up into the 2020 class, and will make a final decision on that this Spring. He’s visited several times, but not since February… This Fall he’s been to Ohio State, Boston College, and Florida. Indiana and VA Tech also involved.
My 2 cents: It looks like Bennett is letting this one go. All signs point to him moving up to 2020 and looking for a good path to an immediate role. That’s not really something UVA can offer.
Peyton Watson 6’6 SF Long Beach Poly (CA) Ranked #21
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: UCLA, Arizona
The Facts: He says he’ll reschedule a canceled official visit previously set for November. Soderberg and more recently Williford have been out to see him. Other visits taken to Arizona, Washington, USC, and UCLA.
My 2 cents: I expect he’ll be very difficult to pull away from the west coast. But he does seem genuinely interested, and obviously the staff hasn’t given up despite the visit cancellation.
Group D: Under Evaluation
Matthew Cleveland 6’6 SF Pace (GA) Ranked #25
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Florida State Louisville
Assistants have checked him out several times, as recently as Nov. Only a question if they’ll invest the necessary energy to have a chance.
Isa Silva 6’4 PG Jesuit (CA) Ranked #26
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Stanford, UCLA
Jabri Abdur-Rahim’s childhood friend from Sacramento received a lot of attention over the summer from Bennett. He’s drawn comparisons to Ty Jerome. UVA is definitely in the thick of this one despite not offering yet.
Nate Bittle 6’10 C Crater (OR) Ranked #15
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Oregon, Arizona
Another left coaster that Soderberg has kept tabs on. He’s a very long shot but has mentioned a possible upcoming visit.
Trey Kaufman 6’7 PF Silver Creek (IN) Ranked #52
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Indiana, Louisville
Another guy that would be very hard to get. Bennett made time to stop in while on his trip for Furst and Christie.
Quincy Allen 6’7 SF Maret (DC) Ranked #79
No offer, visited 2/19. Competition: Clemson, Syracuse
Quincy’s gotten a lot of attention from Williford. Bennett isn’t biting yet.
Benny Williams 6’8 PF St. Andrew’s (MD) #82
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Maryland, Florida
Versatile forward they’ve seen a lot of with Team Takeover. Williford visited him in Sept.
Jeremy Sochan 6’8 SF La Lumiere (IN) Ranked #89
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Marquette, Michigan State
Fresh import from England grabbed UVA’s attention at this summer’s Euro Championships.
Stevie Mitchell 6’1 PG Wilson ¶ Ranked #118
No offer, hasn’t visited. Competition: Penn State, Temple
Vandross has been up there twice this Fall. Under-recruited so far, he could be a realistic 2nd guard in the class.
