Decisions Coming Soon for Virginia Transfer Targets
News keeps coming fast on the transfer front. Three decisions are on the way that could fill Virginia's biggest gaps. It's a high stakes week ahead. Meanwhile, we'll update the messy board. A few names we've talked about are now off Virginia's radar while others take their place.
Upcoming Decisions
Jayden Gardner (Jr) 6’7 Power Forward from East Carolina
Season Stats: 18.3 PPG 8.3 RPG Contenders: Final 5 of Virginia, NC State, Miami, LSU, Arkansas. Timeframe: Probably over the next 7 days.
Gardner is doing a final round of Zoom calls today and tomorrow with each of the coaching staffs under consideration. He’s been transparent about his process throughout and moved swiftly.
Armaan Franklin (So) 6’4 Shooting Guard from Indiana
Season Stats: 11.4 PPG 42% 3FG. Contenders: Virginia, Indiana, Illinois. Timeframe: Any day
The most heated recruitment of the group has all happened quietly. Verdict could come at any time. Indiana has a lot of momentum after three other Hoosiers have pulled out of the transfer portal. Virginia is the main threat.
Phlandrous Fleming (Sr) 6’4 Shooting Guard from Charleston Southern
Season Stats: 20.1 PPG 7.4 RPG. Contenders: Virginia, NC State, Texas A&M. Timeframe: Announces Sunday
Fleming dropped the news that he’ll announce on Sunday. UVA and NC State are the two most frequently mentioned with him. Texas A&M started popping up more this week.
Off the Board
New North Carolina head man Hubert Davis is making a public plea for Walker Kessler to return to Chapel Hill. In any event, that’s looking like a very very long shot for Virginia. Gonzaga is the favorite.
Indiana forward Jordan Geronimo is one of those Hoosiers who took his name out of the transfer portal. UVA had been in contact.
Virginia won’t be seriously involved with Florida transfer guard Noah Locke, It sounds like he already has a shortened list of schools.
New Contacts
The Hoos have contacted Wichita State wing Trey Wade. The junior averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds this season. They’ve also been connected to George Mason guard Tyler Kolek. He was the Atlantic-10 Freshman of the Year after scoring nearly 11 points per game.
And they’re potentially not done adding to the 2021 class. Forward David Joplin has heard from UVA since backing off his commitment to Texas. It’s likely the Wisconsin native will end up joining Shaka Smart at Marquette, but he’s hearing out new suitors. There’s also a report that they’re interested in Mouhamed Lamine Mbaye, a power forward out of Colorado Prep. Arizona State, Rutgers, and Colorado are involved with him.