Photo Credit: Liam Sment
Mike Young made it clear after Virginia Tech's season ended that his first offseason priority would be to add another big man to their frontcourt to build on the depth there for next season. Tech has unsurprisingly been in contact with several talented transfer portal big men including North Dakota transfer Filip Rebraca.
Rebraca told us that the Hokies are among the schools that have reached out to him with assistant coach Kevin Giltner leading the charge at this time. Rebraca had this to say about his conversations with Giltner.
"It was good. He told me all about the program and what they are all about. I’m impressed by their culture and the path they are on. They were good this year but I think it’s only going up from there," Rebraca said.
The Hokies are far from the only suitor for Rebraca with a list that also includes Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Wake Forest, Providence, Boise State, Utah State, Tulsa, Charlotte, Northeastern, and more.
This shouldn't come as a surprise as Rebraca was quite impressive for North Dakota this past season in the Summit League (same conference as Oral Roberts who was a 4 seed in the conference tournament).
During this past season, Filip Rebraca averaged 16.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 31.8 minutes per game this past season while shooting 50.6% from the field including 36.6% from three-point range. His successful season earned him Second Team All-Summit League honors after earning All-Summit League Honorable Mention honors during the 2019-20 season.
Given the NCAA's free year rule this past season, he will have two years of immediate eligibility remaining.
While he isn't necessarily the center prospect that the Hokies seem to be leaning towards, he would fit well at the 4 and give at minimum some depth behind Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts beyond David N'Guessan and John Ojiako. Additionally, Rebraca could likely move over to the 5 at times to spell Aluma with Mutts or N'Guessan at the 4.
Rebraca doesn't necessarily have a timeline for making a decision at this point, but he did tell us that he will not "drag out the process too long." While he doesn't know the when for his decision, he does know what he's looking for in his next school.
"1. An in-person mba program. As an international student I have to be in class to stay in the US. So that is a must.
2. Freedom to play and develop my game at the 4.
3. A culture of winning and a chance to go to the NCAA tournament," Rebraca said.
Keep an eye on Filip Rebraca as the Hokies look to add at least one big man to their frontcourt this offseason to a roster that has all the makings of a top 25 team from the start next season.
