Thijs De Ridder Signs with Virginia
Belgian forward Thijs de Ridder has officially signed with Virginia, it was announced this morning. The 22-year old spent the past two seasons playing for Bilbao of Liga ACB, Spain’s top pro division. He averaged around 10 points and 5 rebounds this season.
NEWS: Virginia has signed 22-year-old Belgian forward Thijs De Ridder, source told @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) July 7, 2025
This past season, the 6’8 De Ridder played for Surne Bilbao Basket, a professional team in Spain where he averaged 9.3 points — shooting 38% from 3.
Projected as a second-round pick,… pic.twitter.com/MELBpG36rb
About Thijs de Ridder
De Ridder is a borderline NBA prospect. The 6’8” forward went through the pre-draft process last year before pulling out ahead of the deadline. He’s considered one of the best players entering college from outside the United States. Already 22 years of age, we don’t yet know how many years of eligibility the NCAA will grant him.
The Belgian has spent the last two seasons in Liga ACB, very high level pro basketball. To put it in perspective, former Virginia stars Justin Anderson and Mike Tobey were in the same league. De Ridder is used to competing against veteran pros and has more than held his own.
De Ridder brings a nice blend of skill and ruggedness. He can stretch the floor as a shooter, knocking down 36% from three-point range this season. While also being very capable of mixing it up in the paint. He’s strongly built and a surprisingly explosive athlete, which enables him to score efficiently around the rim.
He projects as a true power forward. While there may be a adjustment to the college game, this is certainly a starter-quality addition for Virginia. With lots of upside to be more than that if he can smoothly make the transition.
Virginia’s Recruiting Going Forward
With Thijs de Ridder on board, Virginia has 14 players for the 2025-26 season. That will wrap up the roster. Focus now is on recruiting high school players in the class of 2026.
Ryan Odom would like to sign three or four 2026 recruits this fall. He’s after a pair of guards, a wing forward, and a big man up front.. Several of UVA's top targets are already setting up visits to Charlottesville around football season.
Cole Cloer, a combo forward from Greensboro, included UVA in his top 8 last week. He has said he’ll visit in late August. Prized in-state power forward Latrell Allmond recently hinted at visit plans as well. They’re both top 50 ranked players who Odom and his staff have long relationships with, going back to their time at VCU.
Ryan Odom has made the state of Texas a priority. Billy White III, a 6’8 forward from Corpus Christi, is already scheduled to visit for the home football opener. High-scoring guard Bo Ogdon from Austin has a visit date of his own in late September. And guard Christian Gibson out of Houston is definitely one to watch, with the Hoos in serious pursuit.
Virginia is involved with a lot of top players in the 2026 class. Odom has cast a wide net. It’ll be fascinating to see how his first class actually comes together this fall.
International Flavor
Overseas recruiting will clearly be a big part of the formula for Virginia under Ryan Odom. He’s now landed two of this year’s very best European recruits. It sets up the opportunity to establish a pipeline for the years ahead, particularly if those players find success in Charlottesville. Due to the earning potential of NIL, more high level prospects such as Thijs de Ridder and Johann Grünloh are choosing the college route. Odom has UVA well-positioned to be a leader in that market.
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