Strategy Session: Focus Shifts To Juniors, Sophs

The University of Virginia men’s basketball program signed three players in the Early Signing Period for the class of 2014. The 3-man class includes B.J. Stith , a 6’5” wing player with good all-around skills. Look for Stith, son of former Virginia basketball star Bryant Stith and currently Tony Bennett’s most highly rated recruit in this class, to alternate between the 2-spot and the 3-spot for the Cavaliers.

The Virginia coaches addressed the low post as well with the signings of 6’10” center Jack Salt and combo forward Isaiah Wilkins . Wilkins, who is 6’7” (the Virginia official site actually lists him at 6’8”), 210 pounds, is a player the staff likens to current Cavalier senior Akil Mitchell.

As the scholarship situation stands right now, Virginia does have scholarship at its disposal in the class of 2014. If the Coach Bennett decides to use another scholarship in the class of 2014, expect it to go to a perimeter player with plus scoring punch. UVa’s Early Signing Period misses included Benedictine (Richmond, VA) standout Robert Johnson and Charlotte Christian (Charlotte, N.C.) prospect Matthew Fisher-Davis, players known for their ability on the offensive end (Fisher-Davis as a shooter and Johnson as a shooter and a player who really developed his ability to get to the basket).

The Spring Signing Period remains, and I would expect the staff will keep an eye out for any late bloomers on the perimeter. Adding a transfer is a possibility as well, especially given how many players transfer these days (we’ll see if that trend continues or not). The best bet, however, may be that Bennett pockets the scholarship for use in the class of 2015. With that in mind, let’s look at what the 2015/2016 season scholarship breakdown is at this point…

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