Busy Opening Day for Virginia Coaches, and Two Key Upcoming Visits
Thursday marked the start of Fall recruiting. For the first time in 18 months, coaches were allowed to visit recruits at their schools and homes. It’s the final stretch for uncommitted 2022 recruits, and opening day for the class of 2023. The Virginia staff hit the ground running as you’d expect. This will be a busy next few weeks of recruiting until full practices begin.
Five-Star Opening Day
Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennett made two stops today, both for five-star rated recruits in the class of 2023.
Bennett spent the morning at Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina. Gregory Jackson was the main attraction there. One of the most highly coveted forwards nationally, he picked up an offer from UVA in August following a standout performance at Top 100 camp. North Carolina boss Hubert Davis was there this morning too, as well as a South Carolina assistant.
Oak Hill Academy (VA) was Bennett’s next destination for 2023 point guard Caleb Foster. The Hoos were included in his recently released Top 8. There’s a lot of talk that he could decide soon, with Duke as the heavy favorite. UVA is probably the lone challenger left, hoping to surprise the pundits.
Weekend Visitor
Tony Bennett would like to add a bonus recruit to his already stellar 2022 class in Perkiomen (PA) wing Ryan Dunn. He’ll have that chance this weekend when Dunn comes to Charlottesville for an official visit. One of the summer’s biggest stock climbers, he was offered a scholarship after the final live period of July when Bennett saw him play several times in Atlantic City.
Pittsburgh is believed to be UVA’s prime competition for Dunn. He visited there two weeks ago, then Minnesota this past weekend. Georgetown, Maryland, South Carolina, Boston College, and Oklahoma State round out the top 8 he announced in August.
UVA is also on final lists for forwards Julian Phillips and Bobi Klintman. They both remain possibilities. If they do add another 2022 recruit by November’s early signing period however, It will most likely be Dunn.
Second Visit for Sheppard
North Laurel (KY) guard Reed Sheppard is the one 2023 recruit there’s never been any doubt that UVA would pursue hard. He was on Grounds for an unofficial visit in June. Coach Bennett and staff shadowed him all summer. Now he’s scheduled a return trip, this time for an official visit on the weekend of October 2nd.
Bennett is expected to see Reed in the coming days on his home turf at North Laurel. Louisville’s Chris Mack was there today. Kentucky, of course, is widely considered the team to beat. He’ll also visit Ohio State in October.
What The Assistants Are Up To
A Virginia assistant was reportedly expected at Montverde (FL) tonight to see top five ranked forward Kwame Evans. The coaching staff frequently watched the Baltimore native with his AAU team over the summer.
IMG Academy (FL) will be visited as well. Big man Gus Yalden has mentioned a possible visit to UVA this Fall. Guard Jacoi Hutchinson, formerly of DeMatha, is on the Wahoo radar as well.
St. Mary’s (OH) big man Austin Parks, a popular Big Ten target, said UVA is expected to see him on Saturday