Virginia Tech center Mylyjael Poteat has been the veteran leader Virginia Tech basketball this season, after he chose to remain at Tech for his final year of eligibility, making him the longest-tenured Hokie under head coach Mike Young on this roster.
This came after Tech experienced a mass exodus from its men's and women's rosters at the end of the 2024 season. Sean Pedulla (Ole Miss), Lynn Kidd (Miami), MJ Collins, and Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt) tested the transfer portal.
Yet, throughout all the player movement, a familiar face remained in Blacksburg in Poteat despite briefly testing the portal himself.
Young has coached Poteat for three seasons after the 6'9" center transferred from Rice in 2022, and each season since Poteat arrived at Tech, his minutes and numbers have increased exponentially.
In his first year under Mike Young, he played in all 34 of the Hokies contests but was never a part of the starting lineup. He averaged 3.4 points and 2.0 rebounds as a role player off the bench behind Justin Mutts and Grant Basilie.
The following season, still as a role player, Poteat doubled his points per game (6.4) and grabbed some more rebounds per game (3.5). Yet, the Hokies big man only started a single contest, as Kidd got the nod to start in Tech's frontcourt at center alongside Robbie Beran..
With Beran graduating and Kidd exiting to Miami, Poteat took matters into his own hands during the 2024 offseason to secure a starting role for the Hokies and thrive in it.
"Mylyjael Poteat lost 20-25 pounds, because of that, he's moving better than hes ever moved," Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young said. "It's refreshing to see. He's doing a great job in the leadership category. That's a new role for him. He had a great summer and really worked on his body. He's strong as a bear."
Poteat's new frame allowed him to move quicker in the post, and he was nicknamed the "dancing bear," highlighting his improved footwork ability.
"I think it's funny; I like that nickname," said Mylyjael Poteat, "I move better on the offensive end, my footwork looks better, and I move better on the defensive end with lateral quickness and the ability to get up and down the floor quicker."
It was clear that his newfound athleticism benefited the big man this season, where he posted career highs in points (9.6 ppg) as well as assists (33), steals (13), and blocks (9). In his final graduate year at Tech, Poteat became a reliable scorer and a veteran leader who helped guide a significantly young Hokies roster.
"Mylyjael is our leader," sophomore guard Jaydon Young said. "He is a guy that fights, that is a competitor, and we look up to him. We try to do everything that he's doing. Mylyjael plays hard, gives us everything he has, and he's an older guy. So why can't we?"
Young also added this on what he’s learned from Poteat.
"The biggest thing I've learned from Mylyjael is not getting too high or getting too low. Mylyjael has been through a few injuries; I've been through an injury, so we have talked often."
His leadership role has been paramount to Tech's younger players, such as freshman guard Ben Hammond, who earned his way into a starting role midway through the 2024 season.
"He meant a lot to us," Hammond said. "He takes this game very seriously; he wants us to win, he wants us to win ball games, and he wants this team to be happy, so he goes out there and fights hard for all of us all the time, and it's great having him as a teammate."
If the Hokies non graduating seniors do not test out the transfer portal and choose to remain in Blacksburg in 2025, the lessons these young athletes have learned from Poteat will remain with their group.
Poteat and the Hokies will travel to Clemson to take on the No. 11 Tigers in the final regular season game of the big man's career before taking the trip to Charlotte for the ACC Tournament.
For Poteat, his focus is on leaving a legacy of giving his all every game and enjoying the final opportunities he has to play for the Hokies.
"My time is definitely ticking in my collegiate career, so I definitely have to cherish every opportunity," Poteat said. "Hopefully, they (Tech fans) have the memory of someone who came in, battled, and who really appreciates the community at the end of the day."
