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Virginia Tech Basketball Recruiting/Transfer News and Notes August 24th Edition

Buzz Williams Miami 1
Virginia Tech's men's basketball season doesn't start till November, but that hasn't stopped some minor news coming out about the Hokies. Here's a look at some of the biggest stories involving the Hokies including their interest in a late, prominent transfer.

Virginia Tech Interested in San Jose State's Brandon Clarke

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/900398223885512704 According to Jon Rothstein, Virginia Tech is among 12 schools that San Jose State transfer Brandon Clarke is interested in. Clarke showed last year that he has the talent to play at the highest levels of college basketball after averaging 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game while shooting 58.9% from the field. While Clarke has a long list of schools, Clarke's decision could come soon especially with how classes at most schools are about to start if they haven't already started, something former Virginia Tech head coach and ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg mentioned. https://twitter.com/SethOnHoops/status/900430611772579843 It will be difficult for Clarke to make a decision in such a short period of time, but there is precedent for a transfer to make a decision like this in such a short time. Last year, Andrew White was transferring from Nebraska and after taking a visit to Syracuse, he chose to commit and since his visit came the weekend before classes started, he simply stayed there. For the Hokies, they only have a few days till classes start and it's unknown how much interest they truly have in Clarke. Clarke's decision will be something to keep an eye on with it being very possible that he makes a decision in the next few days. If not, don't be surprised to see Clarke consider the JUCO route for a year to set himself up for making a decision later this fall or next spring, or consider staying at San Jose State and continuing to work towards his degree and possibly rejoin the Spartans for another season.

Update:

https://twitter.com/brandonclarke23/status/900784006932742144 Brandon Clarke has cut his list down to Gonzaga, Washington State, and Oregon. This shouldn't be seen as a big surprise given the limited amount of time he has to make a decision if he is to enroll this semester along with Clarke being a West Coast kid. While this is likely disappointing for the Hokies, it isn't surprising whatsoever. [amazon_link asins='B00PWY7E6M,B019MLYECC,B01DOBFJ48,B01FZT3MQO,B0198KBYBQ,B019NK5TOY' template='ProductCarousel' store='techlunchpail-20' marketplace='US' link_id='632fb3af-88e8-11e7-bda2-6d8ddd2a5973']

Virginia Tech Will Receive an Official Visit From Jake Forrester

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/900701374400344065 According to Corey Evans of Rivals via Adam Zagoria, three-star PF Jake Forrester has scheduled official visits to Indiana, Xavier, and Virginia Tech. The Hokies are currently in position to receive Forrester's final official visit though with Forrester having the ability to take two more official visits, it wouldn't be surprising to see him add those after his visit to Blacksburg. Forrester is a borderline four-star recruit with ESPN having him as a four-star while 247 Sports, Rivals, and the 247 Sports Composite have him just below that mark. Forrester is ranked as the 29th best power forward by ESPN and 36th best by the 247 Sports Composite. Rivals has him as the nation's 130th best recruit, 247 Sports has him 147th, and the 247 Sports Composite ranks him 155th nationally. Buzz Williams enjoys bringing recruits on official visits during football weekends and will love having Forrester on campus for Virginia Tech's big showdown with Clemson. Having Forrester on campus for what should be an insane environment should be quite advantageous for the Hokies and will make him someone to keep an eye on. Right now, Virginia Tech has positioned themselves well in their pursuit of Jake Forrester. However, his official visit will likely prove to be critical in his decision.

VT Makes Top 7 for Amanze Ngumezi

https://twitter.com/kiingsliimm/status/900882372006076416 Borderline four-star PF Amanze Ngumezi released his top 7 which included Virginia Tech, Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson, Wichita State, Temple, and UAB. Ngumezi has impressed some scouts this summer with 247 Sports ranking him as the 64th best recruit in America for the 2018 class. The issue the Hokies have is the fact that Ngumezi has already scheduled four of his official visits to Wichita State, Georgia, Tennessee, and UAB with Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Temple all fighting for his fifth official visit. If the Hokies can't get him on campus for an official visit, you can forget about the Hokies having a chance to get him but the good news is that one weekend that is open for him to visit, September 30th when Virginia Tech has their ACC Football Championship rematch with Clemson. The Hokies have a strong Georgia connection currently with Ahmed Hill, Tyrie Jackson, and PJ Horne all being Georgia natives currently on the roster, all of whom were signed by Buzz Williams. While Ngumezi does have some closer to home options including in-state Georgia, Clemson, and Tennessee; Buzz Williams has shown that he can go into Georgia and sign talented players especially with Hill bringing Hill with him from Marquette to Virginia Tech after Hill received a release from his LOI. The Hokies are currently a clear underdog for Ngumezi and will need to get him to take an official visit if they want to have any chance.

George Conditt Has a Top 11

https://twitter.com/george_conditt/status/898907549344378880 Recently offered three-star big man George Conditt released his top 11 which included Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, Washington, Georgia Tech, New Mexico, Houston, and UTEP. The Hokies made the cut days after offering the talented Chicago power forward, showing that there is some mutual interest. However, Virginia Tech has a lot of work ahead of them with Conditt announcing that he will take three of his five official visits to Iowa State, Illinois, and New Mexico. Iowa State and Illinois appear to be the favorites as the local schools that have secured official visits while the Lobos are a surprise inclusion that have a better chance than most would think. For the Hokies to have a chance, they must get Conditt to take an official visit to Blacksburg. If not, there is now way that he ends up choosing the Hokies. The Hokies also appear to have some big men higher on their board including Jake Forrester and with VT likely to only take 1 or 2 big men, numbers may limit VT's pursuit of Conditt. Virginia Tech may have made the cut for George Conditt, but Illinois and Iowa State are the favorites for the talented Chicago big man.

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