Virginia Tech Lands Game-Changing 5-Star Recruit: What This Means for Their Championship Hopes

Dorian Finney-Smith was a five-star forward from I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, back in 2011. He committed to the Hokies and played one season in Blacksburg before transferring to Florida, where he played the remainder of his career. Finney-Smith will enter his 10th NBA season later this year.

So, who is the Hokies’ new five-star addition? When 247Sports added their international rankings for the 2025 class, new Virginia Tech guard Neoklis Avdalas received a 98 overall ranking, making him only the second five-star basketball commitment in school history. The 6-foot-8 Avdalas is expected to play point guard for the Hokies this season.

In June, Avdalas made it official. Since Avdalas signed — he arrived on campus earlier this month, Virginia Tech’s social media accounts have posted numerous practice clips, many of which contain Avdalas.

It’s an exciting time to be a Virginia Tech basketball fan.

The Greek native has been playing professionally since 2021 and just turned 19 in February. Avdalas expected to hear his name called in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, he pulled out ahead of the draft and chose to attend college in the United States. Avdalas quietly visited Blacksburg in the spring, loved his visit and made it clear that if he played collegiately, it would be for Mike Young and the Hokies.

Every once in a blue moon, a moment comes along that makes you stop and take notice — like a rare comet streaking across a star-studded sky. Well, Virginia Tech basketball fans, brace yourselves, because that moment has arrived. After what feels like forever, the Hokies have nailed down a five-star recruit—just the second in program lore. The last time was back in 2011 when Dorian Finney-Smith, fresh out of I.C. Norcom High, stepped onto the court in Blacksburg, eventually carving out a decade-long NBA career. Fast forward to today, and the torch is being passed to Neoklis Avdalas, a towering 6-foot-8 guard from Greece who’s not only got the size but the skill to run the point. He’s been turning heads internationally, skipping the 2025 NBA Draft for the college grind, and after a quiet visit last spring, he chose the Hokies and Coach Mike Young without hesitation. Now, as he’s hit the floor for preseason drills, the buzz is palpable — this kid could be the game-changer Virginia Tech has been craving. The energy is electric, the stakes high — and honestly, it’s a thrilling time to wear Hokie orange. LEARN MORE