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Virginia secures top mid-tier talent through transfer market transaction

Virginia secures promising transfer from ex-USF guard, Malik Thomas, via the transfer portal.

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Virginia University secures a notable pledge from ex-USF guard Malik Thomas,. acquired through the...
Virginia University secures a notable pledge from ex-USF guard Malik Thomas,. acquired through the transfer market.

Virginia secures top mid-tier talent through transfer market transaction

Hitting the Transfer Market Hard:

The Virginia Cavaliers are shaking things up under their new coach, Ryan Odom. With an aggressive approach to the transfer portal, Odom's “re model” team has been making waves this offseason. From the start, the Cavaliers have been busy, looking to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.

Malik Thomas, the star guard from USF, is the latest addition to the team, marking what seems to be their biggest catch from the transfer portal. Thomas's commitment came after the NCAA granted him an extra year of eligibility. With a standout senior year at USF under his belt, Thomas earned his spot on the All-WCC First Team and led the West Coast Conference in scoring.

Thomas was hotly contended for among college basketball insiders, with Virginia becoming the odds-on favorite to land him. On the court, he averaged 19.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season, shooting 44.4% from the field, 39.4% from three-point range, and 85.1% from the free-throw line.

Coach Odom is not stopping with Thomas's recruitment. In total, he's added seven players to the team via the transfer portal, including Ugonna Onyenso, Devin Tills, Dallin Hall, Martin Carrere, Sam Lewis, and Jacari White. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers did lose some talent to the transfer portal, including their leading scorer, Isaac McKneely.

Last season, the Cavaliers finished 15-17 overall and 8-12 in ACC play under interim coach Ron Sanchez. Under Odom's leadership, the team is taking a fresh approach, focusing on bringing in experienced players rather than relying on freshmen or returning players alone. The addition of Thomas is a significant step in that direction and demonstrates Odom's proactive engagement with the transfer market to bolster the team's performance.

As the NCAA continues to consider changes for the 2025-26 season, Virginia is making moves to be a force to be reckoned with.

Bonus Insight:

The new players added by Odom come from various backgrounds, each bringing unique skills to the team. The incoming group of transfers, which also includes Duquesne's Duke Miles, is known for their strong three-point shooting abilities, signaling a potential shift in Virginia's offensive strategy under Odom. This improved three-point shooting could be a game-changer for the Cavaliers, who struggled last season in that department. Malik Thomas's addition fits this profile and will contribute valuable depth to the guard position.

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  1. The Cavaliers' new coach, Ryan Odom, has acquired Duquesne's Duke Miles via the transfer portal, adding another player known for their three-point shooting abilities to the team's roster.
  2. With Malik Thomas's ability to shoot from beyond the arc, along with the other incoming transfers, Virginia may be reevaluating their offensive strategy, aiming to improve their three-point shooting, a area they struggled in last season.
  3. Beyond Malik Thomas, the Cavaliers have added six other players to their team through the transfer portal, each offering unique skills that could contribute to the team's improved performance.
  4. In the 2025-26 season, as the NCAA considers potential changes, the Cavaliers have shown their commitment to becoming a championship contender by actively seeking experienced players like Malik Thomas and Duke Miles via the transfer portal.

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