Entering the 2015-2016 basketball season, excitement surrounding Virginia Tech's significantly large group of new players centered around Maryland transfer Seth Allen and top Virginia recruit Chris Clarke. Kerry Blackshear and Justin Robinson also received a lot of attention as a part of the strong recruiting class with Clarke.
One player that flew under the radar was Zach LeDay. At the time, this wasn't a big surprise given the fact that LeDay was somewhat undersized for a power forward while he also only averaged 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 15 minutes per game at South Florida in the 2013-2014 season.
However, LeDay has arguably become Virginia Tech's best player this season and has put the Hokies in a position to surpass many fan expectations.
So far this season, LeDay has been a double-double machine with seven double-doubles while averaging 14.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. LeDay has been a fairly good shooter from the field with a 46.3% field goal percentage and a 75.6% free-throw percentage that is quite good for a big man.
Zach LeDay has only been held under 10 points in three games this season while he has had at least 7 or more rebounds in 14 of 15 games with 10 or more rebounds in 8 of 15 games. LeDay has also blocked plenty of shots this season with a block in 13 of 15 games and multiple blocks in 6 of 15 games.
LeDay is a high-energy, hard-working player that leaves everything he has on the floor even if the matchup is not ideal against bigger, more athletic big men. There have been times where LeDay has looked overmatched, but the junior forward has founds ways to persevere and still make an impact on the game in most cases.
LeDay is the type of player that Buzz Williams wants to build his program around as a hard worker that exceeds his potential. LeDay has gone from being an unknown to an unsung hero early in the season to being recognized as possibly Virginia Tech's best player even over fellow transfer Seth Allen and sharpshooter Justin Bibbs.
LeDay is going to have a couple of bad games still due to the high quality of more athletic and bigger big men that he will face in the ACC. However, LeDay has already shown that he can raise his play to the next level after a 22-point, 7-rebound performance against Anthony Gill and UVA.
Zach LeDay is having a breakout season, and has Virginia Tech fans dreaming of the return of postseason play in 2016 whether it be in the NIT or possibly even the NCAA Tournament.
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