Jacob Groves Commits To Virginia Basketball

The Virginia men’s basketball team continues to refill its roster this month as the Hoos picked up a third commitment from the transfer portal on Tuesday. Oklahoma transfer Jacob Groves chose the Cavaliers after a visit this weekend. He announced his decision on social media.

Committed 🔶⚔️🔷 #Godspeed pic.twitter.com/cwVT0fvrI8

— Jacob Groves (@jake34groves) April 26, 2023

Groves spent two seasons at Eastern Washington to start his career and then played his last two seasons with the Sooners. He has one year of eligibility remaining from the bonus season during the pandemic. Groves has career averages of 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 33.8% from 3-point range. He has never shot below 50.0% from 2-point range during his four years of college basketball.

The 6’9″ transfer produced better long-range shooting numbers in his sophomore year with EWU and his senior year with Oklahoma, though. In 2020-2021 with the Eagles, he recorded 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 36.4% from 3-point range. Last season with the Sooners, he averaged 6.8 points with 38.1% shooting from 3-point range. Groves has shown the ability to get hot with 3 or more triples in 7 of of his final 41 games with OU.

Groves’ commitment adds more depth for the Hoos, who now have 10 scholarship spots filled. Two other transfers, Jordan Minor and Andrew Rohde, agreed to join the program earlier this month. That duo measures 6’8″ and 6’6″ respectively so Virginia has added more size and length with its recent moves. Minor, Groves, incoming freshman Blake Buchanan (6’10”), and returning sophomore Ryan Dunn (6’8″) all will be options in the frontcourt at times. Groves seems to fit the mold of previous forwards like Evan Nolte, Sam Hauser, and Ben Vander Plas as a forward with face-up skills. That will give UVA varying options offensively.

Groves also brings a lot of experience with 48 starts in his college career.