Locker Room Access - Virginia

The first offseason with Ryan Odom as the Virginia men’s basketball head coach is nearly complete. We’re under a month now until the regular season begins, with the first exhibition game at Vanderbilt scheduled for later this week.  Along the way, we’ve learned a few things about Odom and what to expect from the 2025-26 Wahoos.  But also some questions remain. 

What we’ve learned

Like a Glove

From his opening press conference, it’s been clear that Ryan Odom truly understands the culture at UVA.  He’s said and done the right things to adhere himself to fans and the community. It’s not surprising given his background, having spent a big part of his childhood in Charlottesville while his father served as an assistant under Terry Holland.  Even taking that into consideration, it’s been an impressively smooth transition.  For those of us that follow year-round, it doesn’t even feel like he’s the new guy anymore. 

There were early bumps in the road.  Most of last year’s team transferred. Some fans were upset when he didn’t retain former players from Bennett’s staff.  To his credit, he hasn’t dodged questions on those topics.  In his recent Locker Room Access interview (VIP), they dove into all that and more.  Once he got past the initial turnover that goes along with any coaching change, Odom has pushed all the right buttons to bring Wahoos together.  

Most importantly, Odom’s values align with UVA’s.  He speaks our language, and it’s done with sincerity.  People recognize that.  The style of play on the court may change, but he’s done a remarkable job of quickly reassuring fans and alumni that it will still be done with the same high level of integrity they expect at UVA.  

UVA will spend

The spring late recruiting/transfer cycle was the craziest ever.  We may never see anything like it again.  With revenue sharing now coming into effect, it was hopefully the last year of practically unregulated NIL deals.  Spending was out of control, all over college basketball.  UVA very much took part.  With Odom needing to assemble an almost entirely new roster, it was a necessity.  

By my estimation, the combined payroll of this year’s UVA roster will exceed $15 million.  That would place them among the highest in the country.  But there are plenty of others in the same neighborhood.  That was the market this year.  If you needed players, you had to pay…a lot more than ever before.  

So while the system will change a little under revenue sharing going forward, the lesson remains that UVA is willing to finance men’s basketball at a level that few programs can match.  And just as importantly, Odom won’t hesitate to leverage those resources.  

Year by Year

It’s already becoming apparent that Odom will employ a roster management style that’s befitting the times. Planning will be more on a year-to-year basis than we’ve seen in the past.  That doesn’t mean there won’t be roster continuation, ideally there will be.  But young players need to establish themselves before they’re counted on as integral pieces for the following year.  That’s the main difference. 

Odom embraces the portal and the advantages it can offer.  Under Bennett, it was mostly just used as a stop gap to plug holes.  Long term roster planning always took priority.  The bottom line is it’ll be about maximizing each season first and foremost with Odom.  In today’s environment, that’s probably the best way to go.  

Questions

Potential ceiling

Since the invention of the transfer portal, it’s been the prevailing theory that teams loaded with new transfer additions have a certain ceiling.  And I generally believe that to be accurate.  They can have a good season, but rarely do they come together well enough to be relevant in the national picture.  Final Four contenders or even major conference champions don’t typically have rosters put together the way UVA did it this year. 

However, this year could prove to be an exception to the norm.  And it goes back to the unusual spending that took place in the spring.  The opportunity to earn millions brought many more high level transfers into the portal than ever before.  In the past, this UVA team and similar ones like it around the country couldn’t have been assembled.  The depth of talent wasn’t available.  

I think a lot of prognostications have that same built-in assumption, which may cap where we see UVA predicted (or not) in preseason polls.  There’s a good chance the Hoos are being underestimated.  

Euro Adjustment

The biggest variable for UVA this season will be how well their high profile European imports adjust to college basketball.  Belgian forward Thijs de Ridder and German center Johann Grünloh might be Odom’s starting frontcourt, and they have the potential to be one of the best in the country. 

Virginia’s two foreign newcomers up front — This de Ridder and Johann Grunloh — both look the part. Both are comfortable facing up. Both taking and making 3’s with confidence. Good players.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 1, 2025

Both players came over from top division European pro teams, and both are legit NBA prospects.  They’re the type of guys who previously would have never considered the college route.  Thanks to the earnings opportunity available now, they’re here.  Odom and his staff, particularly Griff Aldrich, deserve a ton of credit for luring them over.  They were sneaky big recruiting wins.  

There’s no past comparison for them. Again, there’s a built-in bias because so often overseas recruits disappoint initially in college basketball.  But those were not players with the same background.  At the same time, they will have an adjustment.  The college style of game is very different and they’ll need to assume more featured roles than they had in Europe.  

Recruiting

High School recruiting is definitely still a big question mark for Odom.  The signing period is quickly approaching and he’s still searching for his first commitment from the 2026 class.  Although to be fair, there are six other ACC teams in the same predicament.  NIL and some of the changes to the recruiting calendar have led to high school prospects holding out longer. 

From going back through Odom’s history at previous stops, this isn’t unusual for him.  He’s quite comfortable going deep in recruiting cycles and often signs high school players during the late spring period.  It’s very different from what UVA fans are used to.  Tony Bennett nabbed a lot of early commitments and was usually finished by September.  Whereas, Odom never had a recruit committed before the fall at VCU or Utah State.   

Odom took shots at quite a few very high level recruits this go-round, not getting far in most cases.  There are still a few left in play, as I’ll get to below.  But truthfully, it’s been a boring cycle with little activity so far.  As a recruiting dude, I’m hoping for a bit more juice in the years ahead.  

Recent Visitors

Virginia hosted top 50 ranked wing Luca Foster on an official visit last weekend.  The 6’5 SG/SF from the Philadelphia area attends Link Academy (MO).  He’s been on a visit tour this fall with previous stops at Villanova, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgetown, and Ohio State.  There’s one more scheduled trip left to Gonzaga next weekend, with a decision likely coming in late October to early November. 

Petersburg (VA) forward Latrell Allmond will announce his college choice on Monday.  He was in town for an official visit a couple weeks ago.  The final five are Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Indiana, and Oklahoma State.  It would be a pretty big surprise if the Wahoos get the call, but we’ll see what happens.  

Five-star Iowa United center Arafan Diane was also recently in Charlottesville for a visit.  The Hoos are joined by Kentucky, Indiana, Houston, and Arkansas in his final five.  He has two more upcoming visits remaining to Indiana and perceived favorite Houston before a planned decision date in mid-November.  

Excited for a new season?  Come join the discussion on the Locker Room Access forum, the place to be for any Wahoo basketball fanatic. 

(Featured Image Credit: Jamie Holt/UVA Athletics)

Ryan Odom and the Virginia men’s basketball program have a big recruiting weekend coming up.  The Cavaliers are expected to have three Top 50 ranked recruits from the class of 2026 in town on official visits, coinciding with the football showdown against Florida State. 

*All rankings from the On3 industry average 

Latrell Allmond

Ranking: 29

Summer stats: 14.7 PPG (54 FG%, 31 3FG%), 7.4 Reb, 1.6 Blk for Team Loaded 

Petersburg (VA) forward Latrell Allmond will make his long awaited official visit to Charlottesville this weekend.  It’ll be his fourth and possibly last official visit following earlier trips to Indiana, Tennessee, and Oklahoma State.  He plans to announce his college choice in mid-October. 

The main competition consists of Indiana and Tennessee.  Their affiliation with Adidas is helpful in this case, as Allmond has strong ties to the brand.  However, Ryan Odom has had past success with players from Allmond’s Team Loaded program. And Virginia’s Director of Recruiting Ahmad Thomas is a former Team Loaded coach himself.  The Hoos have a shot to surprise folks by keeping the in-state prize at home.  

Arafan Diane

Ranking: 19

Summer stats: 18.6 PPG (74 FG%), 10.8 Reb, 1.5 Blk for Iowa United

Iowa United Prep big man Arafan Diane is widely considered the best true big man in the class. The Guinean recently named a final five of Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, and Houston.  This will be his third official visit, with trips scheduled to all five finalists.  He plans to announce his decision in early November. 

The perceived frontrunner has been Houston.  Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars will get Diane’s last visit in late October.  But it seems to be a fairly open contest between all of the finalists.  Coaches from each school made the trip to see him in recent weeks.  Odom has been involved with Diane since very early in the process.  That relationship paid off with this scheduled visit.  If they could somehow close the deal, it would be a monumental recruiting win for Odom in his first year. 

Bo Ogden 

Ranking: 34

Summer stats: 20.9 PPG (55 FG%, 53 3FG%), 4.5 Reb. 2.4 Ast for ASAK Elite

Combo guard Bo Ogden out of Westlake High in Austin, Texas may be the best shooter in the class.  He knocked down just under 53% from deep on high volume this summer, while converting at an 86% clip from the foul line.   He’s down to a final six of Virginia, Gonzaga, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, and Purdue.  A decision is expected before November’s early signing period. 

Bo’s dad is on the Texas coaching staff.  It would be fairly surprising if he doesn’t end up choosing the Longhorns.  But Odom and the staff have done a nice job positioning UVA as perhaps the leading alternative, if Ogden chooses to take his own path.  The trip to Charlottesville will be his third official visit.  He’s already been to Purdue and Tennessee.  

What’s Ahead

The official visits won’t end here.  UVA has another top 50 recruit scheduled to visit the following weekend, Link Academy (MO) wing Luca Foster.    

We’re exactly six weeks from the season opener.  That means official practices begin today.  There should be highlights of that on social media later.  And the first exhibition game at Vanderbilt is only a little over three weeks away, on October 16th.  Another year of Wahoo basketball will soon be at hand.  Stay tuned to Locker Room Access for full coverage as always!

(Featured Image Credit: Josie Drumheller/UVA Athletics) 

Football gets underway this weekend.  That means the start of official visit season for basketball recruits.  Coach Ryan Odom has the Wahoos involved with quite a few of the top players in the class of 2026.  In most of the races, Virginia is seen as an underdog.  We’ll see if Odom and the staff can pull off a surprise or two ahead of November’s early signing period.  

Scheduled Visits

There are a pair of recruits with official visit dates locked in, that we know of right now.  There will surely be more added. 

Luca Foster

Link Academy (MO) wing Luca Foster, ranked 37th in the class, is scheduled to be in Charlottesville on the weekend of October 4th.  He released a top nine list, and has so far scheduled visits to six of the finalists.  The tip to UVA will be the last of those scheduled visits.  

Foster is a 6’5” SG/SF, a good athlete and shoots it well.  Ryan Odom and the staff were quick to get involved with him once they took over the helm.  Foster is originally from the Philadelphia area.  Villanova, where he visits this weekend, is clearly a contender.  Michigan and Ohio State seem to be up there as well.  But there’s no clear favorite.  The Hoos will get their turn, and we’ll see where the chips fall.  

Bo Ogden

Virginia offered Westlake (TX) combo guard Bo Ogden back in the spring.  He’s had his official visit locked in for a while already, scheduled for the weekend of September 26th.  Ranked 42nd in the class, Ogden is down to a final six.  He took an early official visit to Purdue.  The only planned fall visit reported so far is to UVA. 

The key fact to know here is that Ogden’s father is on the coaching staff at Texas, positioning the Longhorns as the likely favorite.  So, the odds for everyone else don’t seem very favorable.  It wouldn’t be the first time a recruit chose not to play for his father though.  Ryan Odom will at least get Bo on Grounds to make his case. 

Still in Play

There are five other recruits that have named Virginia as a finalist, and at least one more they’re still involved with. 

Latrell Allmond

In-state prize Latrell Allmond out of Petersburg High included the Hoos on his top nine list.  The 6’8” forward, ranked 34th nationally, has had an offer from UVA for several years.  Tony Bennett and company hosted him on unofficial visits multiple times.  The effort only intensified once Odom took over. 

Allmond has taken one official visit already, a summer trip to Indiana.  Kansas and Tennessee are probably the other main teams in the picture. I do expect UVA to get a turn before his planned decision date in mid-October. 

Arafan Diane

Ranked 18th and considered by many as the best center in the class, Iowa United big man Arafan Diane has UVA in his top twelve.  He plans to announce his college decision in early November, following a round of fall visits.  In a recent interview, Diane said he does intend to visit Virginia.  

There’s been a lot of talk about Houston with him.  He took an unofficial there this summer, and is scheduled to return for an official in late October.  Arkansas is another team to watch.  It looks like there's still a long way to go in this race though.  Plenty of opportunity for Odom to gain ground, assuming that’s necessary.  

Lucas Morillo

Newman (MA) guard Lucas Morillo, ranked 58th, included UVA in his top six this week.  He is an unusually versatile player.  With point guard skills at 6’7”, he can be slotted anywhere from PG to PF in the lineup.  Odom and the staff have been active in his recruitment throughout. 

Morillo has visited Marquette and is currently on a visit to Minnesota.  Other finalists include UCLA, Illinois, and Texas.  While he hasn’t locked in a date yet, Virginia should get a visit at some point this fall.  They’ll have a fair shot.  

Cole Cloer

Odom started recruiting IMG Academy (FL) forward Cole Cloer to VCU, then continued on at UVA.   Cloer named a top eight in July, Hoos included.  Since then, new teams such as Kentucky and Arkansas have joined in.  

This one looks pretty bleak for Virginia.  He initially set a visit date, but then that got scrapped.  At this point, he has a full slate of upcoming visits scheduled that doesn’t include UVA.   But as long as they’re still alive, anything can happen. 

Jayden Hodge

Jayden Hodge grew up in Belgium, but has Virginia roots.  His dad Odell Hodge was an all-time great player at Old Dominion, now an assistant coach there.  UVA extended an offer to the 66th ranked guard over the summer, and now the Hoos are among his eight finalists. 

He took early official visits to Northwestern and Georgetown.  Then this week, there were four more upcoming visit dates reported.  UVA not included.  We didn’t notice a lot of involvement with him over the summer.  It could be that the Hoos are just window dressing, or maybe there’s an opportunity if Odom decides to turn up the volume.  

Dylan Mingo

Not every recruit chooses to name finalists.  Five-star Long Island Lutheran (NY) guard Dylan Mingo hasn’t yet.  Odom and his staff have continued to stay active with him.  The Hoos are at least in the ballgame. 

Mingo recently visited Washington, and he’ll visit Miami this weekend.  Other schools involved include UConn, Baylor, and NC State.  He’s played his recruitment close to the vest, only announcing visit plans just beforehand.  We’ll see if UVA gets a turn.  

What’s Ahead

Coaches will be back out on the road soon.  The recruiting period opens on Wednesday, allowing them to visit prospects at their schools or homes.  We should get reports of them popping up to see some of the names above, and maybe new ones too.  It won’t be only about 2026 recruits.  This is normally when coaches start paying more attention to rising juniors, and likely extend scholarship offers for 2027.  The cycle starts all over. 

Come join us on the Locker Room Access forum to keep track of all the happenings.  From fall recruiting to preseason coverage, it’s the  place to be for the diehard Wahoo Basketball fan.  

(Featured image credit: Josie Drumheller/UVA Athletics)