For only the second time in program history, the Virginia Tech Hokies men’s basketball team has a five-star addition.
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.
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.
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.
