First Spring Live Period Recap
There’s been recruiting activity on multiple fronts this weekend. Virginia coaches have been on the road for the first of two Spring live evaluation periods. The class of 2024 takes center stage. Meanwhile back at home, there’s also a transfer recruit visiting.
UVA had a strong presence at the Nike EYBL event in Georgia this weekend, including Tony Bennett himself for a couple days. And they had also had an assistant on hand for the Adidas circuit in Iowa.
Transfer Visitor
Tony Bennet’s weekend of AAU watching was cut short. He returned home to Charlottesville on Saturday night to host Oklahoma transfer Jacob Groves on his still ongoing official visit.
Groves is a graduate transfer with one year left to play. He averaged 6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds this year at Oklahoma. The key trait he brings is shooting, 38% from behind the arc this past season. This will be his second transfer after starting his career at Eastern Washington.
They’re also involved with Northwestern transfer forward Robbie Beran. The Richmond native has already visited Miami and Virginia Tech. UVA is hoping to get a turn later this week. He and Groves are both in the same mold, stretch-four types, and both only with one season left to play.
We’re also waiting on a verdict from recent visitor Blue Cain. Previously a Georgia Tech commit, the 2023 IMG Academy (FL) guard visited last weekend. Penn State, Georgia, and Florida are the other teams in the mix.
Get To Know Him
2024 George School (PA) point guard Christian Bliss took an unofficial visit to Virginia back in February for the Duke game. Tony Bennett was courtside to see him play three times this weekend in Georgia, more than any other player. There’s no scholarship offer yet, but all signs point that to that changing soon.
Bliss averaged 13 points over four games this week, going 6 for 12 from three, and tallied 18 assists to 5 turnovers. Villanova is considered the team to beat in his recruitment. He just took an official visit there this week.
Cannon School (NC) guard Austin Swartz could have an offer coming as well. The 6’5 combo guard is shaping up as one of the Spring’s top breakout recruits. UVA was at his games regularly, with Bennett on hand once.
There was little attention paid by the UVA staff to the two 2024 point guards who already hold scholarship offers. Travis Perry of Lyon County (KY) and Daniel Freitag of Jefferson (MN). That could always change next week. But it looks like the search for the next PG is wide open right now, with Bliss very possibly about to become a top target.
Priority Recruit Watch
All eyes are on Jarin Stevenson this Spring. The Seaforth (NC) forward took his official visit to Virginia two weekends ago. The coaches were there to see him in Georgia this week. Bennett attended two of his games before being called away. Coach Williford was around other times as well.
There’s a lot of variables in Jarin’s recruitment. He could potentially reclassify, and there are pro options as well. But it’s mostly seen as a battle between Virginia and North Carolina. The talk lately is that UVA has caught up in the race. What we saw this weekend backs that up. UVA is prioritizing him a bit more than Carolina. And I do think the Hoos have the edge right now.
Jarin averaged over 14 points and 4 rebounds this weekend for Team United, shooting 53% from the field.
Bennett saw every key recruit that was in action at least once this weekend. He was on hand for the Team Takeover trio on Friday night. Paul VI wing Isaiah Abraham and big man Patrick Ngongba, along with Sidwell (DC) forward Caleb Williams all have UVA offers. Archbishop Ryan (PA) big man Thomas Sorber had Bennett courtside once, and assistants on other occasions.
Two very important recruits to Virginia didn’t play this week. Wisconsin Lutheran wing Kon Knueppel sat out due to an illness. And Sycamore (OH) center Raleigh Burgess is injured. Both of them have already taken official visits to UVA, Knueppel in February and Burgess just two weeks ago.
Way Too Early 2025 Names
We’re months away from 2025 recruiting being much of a thing, but evaluations are underway. When Coach Bennett comes around personally for sophomores, it’s noteworthy. There were two this weekend that shined with him courtside.
The first game Bennett saw on Friday afternoon was for Parkview (GA) forward Jacob Wilkins. He is the brother of Vriginia’s Isaiah Wilkins, and son of NBA legend Dominique. Isaiah was on hand with Bennett this weekend, so a pretty cool moment for him recruiting his little brother. Jacob is a high-end talent who could easily end up with five stars next to his name.
And Paul VI (VA) big man Christian Gurdak had a great weekend. He plays alongside Coach Williford’s son Austin on the Team Takeover 16U squad. There’s always a UVA presence at those games. But Coach Bennett was there for a look himself on Saturday. Gurdak no doubt impressed the boss. He visited back in the Fall. Definitely an early name to watch for 2025.
Coaches will be back out next weekend for another live period. And the transfer recruiting craziness is still ongoing as well. We’ll have it all covered as always on Locker Room Access