Transfer Forward Devin Tillis Commits to Virginia
Virginia’s recruiting hot streak continued Friday. UC-Irvine transfer Devin Tillis announced his commitment to play for the Wahoos, The 6’7” forward from Los Angeles was a second-team All-Big West selection this season, while averaging 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds. He’s a graduate transfer with just one year left to play in Charlottesville.
GO HOOS!!! #commited pic.twitter.com/7sOL48Zkg9
— Devin Tillis (@devin_tillis) April 11, 2025
Tillis is Virginia's fifth transfer addition in a span of six days. He joins former Toledo wing Sam Lewis, North Dakota State transfer guard Jacari White, VCU freshman forward Martin Carrere, and former BYU point guard Dallin Hall. Virginia also lost a commitment today from Oklahoma transfer guard Duke Miles.
About Devin Tillis
Devin Tillis will be a sixth-year senior. He began his college career at UNLV in 2020-21, the season that was later ruled as the free covid year. Tillis transferred to UC-Irvine and redshirted the following season, then played the last three for the Anteaters. Leaving him with the one extra year still available for the 2025-26 season.
He’s a very skilled inside-out scorer at the power forward position. Most of his damage is done on the interior. He’s also a really good three-point shooter, knocking down just under 40% of his attempts this season. His offensive game fits really well into Ryan Odom’s analytic-friendly style, as nearly all of Tillis’s scoring comes either from long range or at the rim.
Tillis played for head coach Russ Turner at UC-Irvine. Turner and Virginia coach Ryan Odom are both graduates of Hampden-Sydney and good friends. No doubt that connection helped get Tillis to Charlottesville. Turner’s UC-Irvine teams are known for their tough defense. So, Tillis comes from a culture that expects great effort on both ends of the floor.
Another very quick quiet recruitment, and commitment before visiting. Tillis has only been in the transfer portal since Monday. There were no reports of which teams he was considering. Again, it’s the same pattern we’ve seen with other recent Virginia commits.
He’s obviously a very important addition for Odom and staff. Virginia has assembled a nice collection of veteran guard transfers. Now, they have a starting-caliber piece in the frontcourt.
Virginia’s Recruiting Going Forward
With the addition of Devin Tillis and today’s de-commitment from Oklahoma transfer guard Duke Miles, Virginia has nine projected players on the 2025-26 roster. They’ll probably add at least four more before it’s over.
The so-called dead period ended today, meaning recruits can visit again. Kansas transfer wing Rakease Passmore is expected at UVA this weekend. He’s a former highly rated recruit out of Combine Academy (NC). Definitely one to watch.
There’s been a lot of smoke surrounding San Francisco grad transfer guard Malik Thomas, one of the best pure scorers in the portal. We’ll see if anything comes of that.
VCU transfer big man Luke Bamgboye still hasn’t decided. He visited before the dead period. It seems to be between UVA or staying at VCU.
Virginia is interested in Houston transfer forward Terrance Arceneaux. They’re after Alabama transfer forward Jarin Stevenson too.
Now that the dead period is lifted, there should be other visitors on Grounds. And as we’ve seen, commitments can happen without visits too.
The Wrap
UVA badly needed a dependable veteran piece in the frontcourt, particularly a scoring presence. Devin Tillis checks that box. Odom continues to assemble a rotation of quality players out of the transfer portal. He’s not just trying to rebuild, he wants to compete at the top of the ACC right away. Still lots of work left to do.
Stay tuned to Locker Room Access for full coverage of Virginia Basketball recruiting. We’ll have portal season covered every step of the way. And please take the time to check out our partner Fan Fund, the credit card that gives back to your favorite student-athletes.
(Featured Image Credit: UC-Irvine)