Locker Room Access - Virginia

After a slow start, Tony Bennett is finishing the transfer recruiting season strong.  Virginia landed another key piece on Monday night when San Diego State transfer Elijah Saunders announced his commitment.  The 6’8” forward from Phoenix averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds this season, while starting 21 games for the Aztecs.  He’ll have two more years left to play at Virginia.  

NEWS: San Diego State transfer forward Elijah Saunders has committed to Virginia, he tells @On3sports.https://t.co/yvWhmH0TbG pic.twitter.com/cmiDda1RnR

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 7, 2024

Saunders is Virginia’s third transfer addition of the spring, all coming since Saturday.  He joins former Florida State guard Jalen Warley and Duke transfer forward TJ Power. 

How His Recruitment Went Down

Saunders committed to Virginia on Monday while on an official visit. He was only in the portal for a little over a week.  Options were quickly sorted through, and visits set.  He visited Washington first then came directly to Charlottesville.  There was also a Clemson visit planned, which is now canceled following his commitment.  

Out of Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix,  he originally chose the Aztecs over scholarship offers from Miami, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, and other power conference programs.  Saunders played for one of the nation’s top AAU teams, Compton Magic.  Virginia looked at him a little bit too, as he had become a popular recruit during the summer before his senior year.  

What Saunders Brings to Virginia

Virginia was very thin at the power forward position.  Both transfers that were added Monday, Saunders and TJ Power, will help fill that hole.   However, they’re multi-positional players who complement each other well.  That’s the key.  Saunders is more of a traditional power forward who could even be used at center at times.  

After being lightly used as a freshman on SDSU’s Final Four team, Saunders became a staple in the rotation during his second season.  He started 21 games, playing 20 minutes per contest.  His season averages aren’t eye popping, 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, but he was an important contributor for a team that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.  

Saunders brings a nice blend of skill and physicality.  He’s a three-point threat, hitting 32% on fairly high volume for a forward.  And his career 84% from the foul line indicates that he’ll likely develop into an even better long range shooter.  While his offensive game has been more perimeter oriented during his first two years, he’s a strongly built young man at 225 pounds.  There’s obvious potential for him to become a force in the paint. 

Virginia is getting a player with a high floor, a proven commodity who they can count on to be a solid contributor at a position of need.  But also a developing prospect with a lot of upside.  I think this is a very underrated addition for the Hoos.  

Virginia’s Recruiting Going Forward

With the addition of Saunders, Virginia has 12 scholarship players for the 2024-25 season.  They still have one open scholarship to play with.  

Kansas State transfer guard Dai Dai Ames visited on Monday.  The last open spot would be his if he wants it.  If that doesn’t pan out, it’s unclear if they’ll continue searching for another transfer.  At this point, UVA has everything they need.  Any further addition is a luxury. 

Attention is about to swing back to the high school ranks, specifically the class of 2025.  The first live evaluation period takes place on the weekend of May 17th.  I would expect if UVA intends to pursue any more transfers, it will happen very soon so the coaches can take a breather before turning the page.  

Closing Thoughts

Now that most if not all the results are in, there was a big change in Virginia’s transfer recruiting from a year ago.  All three additions come from major programs, two of them were former prized recruits who Virginia wanted badly out of high school.  They’re players who should have an easier adjustment than last season’s transfers experienced.  

The coaches were out celebrating last night, deservedly so.  It's been a bumpy ride this past month, but they pulled it together pretty well.  There’s a sense of relief, no doubt shared by many fans. 

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(Featured Image Credit: SDSU Athletics)

By Josh Burton 

Tony Bennett is back to his winning ways over the last 48 hours, adding former 5-star recruit TJ Power this time.  The Duke transfer was the first of two commitments on Monday, later joined by former San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders. On Saturday, Florida State guard Jalen Warley become Bennett's first transfer recruit of the spring.  

The 6’9” Power joins the Hoos after having spent last season as a reserve for Duke. While he appeared in 26 games last season, he averaged under seven minutes per game and never really got a chance to show his ability there. Power will have three seasons to play.

LETS DO IT #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/zhSKbH2nvy

— TJ Power (@TJPower14) May 6, 2024

TJ Power’s Recruitment

Power’s transfer recruitment was played very tight to the vest. He didn’t actually visit UVA, settling for a zoom visit instead. UVA beat out both Wake Forest and the hometown Boston College for Power, both schools he did take unofficial visits to recently.   

Luckily for Tony Bennett and co, the staff had spent a ton of time recruiting him originally out of high school. Virginia was the perceived runner up the first time around, with some believing that had the right situation occurred then he would have been a Hoo from the start. 

Power was very highly regarded coming out of high school, rated the 17th overall recruit and a five-star by 247. TJ joins the team as the highest rated recruit Tony Bennett has had while at UVA.

What TJ Power Brings to Virginia

Virginia had a major hole at the 4 spot following the departures of Ryan Dunn and Leon Bond. Since transfer recruiting season got underway it’s been believed that they would look to add two forwards if possible. In the perfect scenario the two additions would complement each other's skillsets while also being versatile for lineup flexibility. Power and fellow transfer addition Elijah Saunders certainly fit the bill.  

Power is known for both his shooting ability and his passing ability. While not the most aggressive scorer, he’s known for making the right play and always helping to put his teams in a position to be successful. Looking specifically at the offensive end, Power’s ability to space the floor while also being able to make the correct play will open up a lot of options as the Hoos look to revamp their stagnant-at-times offense. 

The other end of the court is where the biggest questions for Power will be. As we all know, everything at UVA begins and ends with defense. Should Power be able to show that he is a capable defender, I expect him to play a major role for the Hoos next season and beyond. 

Virginia’s Recruiting Going Forward

With the addition of TJ Power and Elijah Saunders, Virginia now sits at 12 scholarship players for the 2024-2025 season, leaving just one open spot.  

Virginia would like to use that open scholarship on Kansas State transfer point guard Dai Dai Ames.  He is currently on a visit at UVA.  A former Top 70 ranked recruit, the freshman started 16 games for the Wildcats this season.   If that doesn't pan out, we'll see if they choose to continue pursuing other transfers.  They have a pretty full roster after today's addition, and pocketing the scholarship would make 2025 recruiting a bit easier.  

The Wrap

I’m not going to deny my personal excitement for this one. Going into the spring recruiting season, TJ Power was at the top of my personal list of preferences. He’s a very high end talent who could really raise the ceiling for Hoos should he reach his potential. His abilities on offense will allow the staff a variety of options to revamp the system.  And with three seasons to play, he fits in seamlessly with the current young stable of players on the roster.

After what felt like week after week of disappointing news, UVA has bounced back in a huge way. More good news should be on the way for the Hoos sooner rather than later, be sure to follow along on Locker Room Access and join VIP for the most up to the minute coverage of all things UVA Basketball anywhere on the internet!

(Featured Image Credit: Getty) 

After a long wait, Tony Bennett has his first transfer addition of the spring.   Florida State transfer guard Jalen Warley announced his commitment to Virginia on Saturday, shortly after an official visit.  The 6’7” junior from Philadelphia was a starter for the Seminoles, averaging 7.5 points and 2.8 assists this past season.  He’ll have one year left to play.  

NEWS: Florida State transfer guard Jalen Warley has committed to Virginia, he tells @On3sports.

The 6-7 junior averaged 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season. Former top-50 recruit. https://t.co/JqrLNfgfuB pic.twitter.com/eJCrQNno3U

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 4, 2024

Jalen Warley’s Recruitment

Bennett recruited Jalen Warley really hard out of Westtown School (PA) in the class of 2021.  Virginia was most likely the runner up in his original recruitment.  It all happened during covid times when in-person activity was shut down.  The lasting memory was Warley posing in a UVA shirt on Instagram shortly before announcing his commitment to FSU.  Now years later, he really is a Wahoo. 

Warley was a prized recruit in high school.  He finished ranked as the 43rd player in his class, according to the 247Sports composite.  Choosing Florida State from a long list of scholarship offers. 

After three seasons at FSU, he entered the transfer portal this spring.  His transfer recruitment was handled very quietly. His only official visit was to Virginia this week.   It worked out neatly.  Rumors of his commitment started to spread immediately, leading up to Saturday’s announcement.  

What Jalen Warley Brings to Virginia 

Virginia was intent on adding a veteran guard to their young team.  Warley certainly checks that box.  Not only an experienced player, but three years under his belt in the ACC.  He brings athleticism and a lot of versatility.  Expect Bennett to use him in a variety of ways.  He can play on or off the ball and is capable of defending four positions.

Warley started 58 games for the Seminoles over three years, including 32 this year.   He averaged a career-best 7.5 points during his junior campaign.  The glaring weakness is his outside shot.  He’s a career 29% three-point shooter, and only attempted seven this past season.   

Tony Bennett loves big versatile guards.  And after losing Reece Beekman and Ryan Dunn, he wanted someone who could take on tough defensive assignments.  Because of his size, Warley can be called on to defend anything from a point guard to some power forwards.  He also brings an ability to get in the lane and make plays offensively to a UVA team that didn’t get nearly enough of that last season.  

Warley should play an important role for the Wahoos next season.  Because he can run the point, he’ll be interchangeable at all three guard spots.  And with his size, they may even use him as a small-ball power forward occasionally.  He’ll be a valuable utility player.  

Virginia’s Recruiting Going Forward

With the addition of Jalen Warley, Virginia is back up to 10 scholarship players for the 2024-25 season, leaving three open spots.  They plan on filling them all.    

The next piece of news we’re waiting for is from 2024 Harvard Westlake (CA) point guard Trent Perry.  He’s expected to announce a decision at any moment, between Virginia and UCLA.  Odds are heavily on the side of the Wahoos.  

Virginia needs help at forward now.  That’s where the main focus turns.  They’re in pursuit of several players, likely for two spots.  

Campbell transfer Anthony Dell’Orso visited earlier this week.  UVA has a good chance with him.  TCU, VA Tech, and Vanderbilt are also in the running.  And San Diego State transfer forward Elijah Saunders is scheduled to arrive for his visit on Sunday.  He’s currently visiting Washington, then is scheduled to see Clemson early next week.  

UVA is also in the mix for Duke transfer forward TJ Power.  A verdict from him is expected next week with Wake Forest and Boston College among the other contenders.  And I’ve heard there are several other visits lined up for the coming days, if the spots aren’t filled.  

The Wrap

Warley is a nice piece.  He’ll provide a veteran presence.  And the coaching staff is placing an emphasis this offseason on becoming more versatile.  His addition goes a long way in helping that cause. 

It took a while for Virginia to land this first recruit of the offseason.  But now that the seal is off, there could quickly be more on the way.  Stay tuned. 

(Featured Image Credit: Rob Kinnan/USA Today)