The Virginia Tech Hokies and head basketball coach Mike Young are one step closer to landing perhaps the most important recruit in school history. On Sunday, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that Neoklis Avdalas was withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA draft.
NEWS: Greek wing Neoklis Avdalas a projected 2nd round pick, is withdrawing from the NBA Draft, agent Alex Saratsis told ESPN.
Avdalas improved his standing at the NBA draft combine and will be a name to monitor in the 2026 NBA draft. pic.twitter.com/fjGhIvSGXV
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 15, 2025
The news came courtesy of Avdalas’ agent.
So what happens next?
Last week, per Eurohoops, Avdalas verbally committed to Virginia Tech if he withdrew his name from the draft. The 6-foot-8 native of Athens, Greece, still needs to sign with the Hokies if Blacksburg is his next destination. Avdalas reportedly received a second-round grade, but many draft analysts believe that with a bit more seasoning, Avdalas is a future lottery pick and NBA star.
Check this out:
Virginia Tech doesn’t often receive commitments from players ticketed for the NBA lottery. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and has become a key member of the Minnesota Timberwolves — one of the NBA’s top young teams. Avdalas can play three positions (point guard, shooting guard, small forward) and would step onto an improved Virginia Tech roster next season as its best offensive option.
Even if Avdalas is a one-and-done, next season could be fun for the Hokies. Now, every fan should treat each college season as its own entity. Rosters flip every season due to the transfer portal and NIL. The hope is that Avdalas leads the Hokies to a tremendous season and then becomes a lottery pick. Young can then use that as a recruiting tool for other top international players.
Hokie fans will wait anxiously for Avdalas to sign before getting too excited.