Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas was named ACC Rookie of the Week on Monday, the league announced.
It's the second time the Virginia Tech freshman has earned conference honors this year after being voted co-player and co-rookie of the week on Nov. 10 with North Carolina's Caleb Wilson. Wake Forest guard Myles Colvin, who dropped a career-high 33 points on Queens on Sunday, was this week's player of the week.
Avdalas posted 30 points against Western Carolina on Thursday behind 10-for-17 shooting, which included a 4-for-8 mark from behind the arc. He also made six of his eight free throws while adding three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
"I just found my rhythm, and when I find my rhythm, I'm difficult to guard," Avdalas said.
It was the second 30-piece of the season for Kalamata, Greece, product after his 33-point outburst on Nov. 8 vs. Providence. Since the Hokies joined the ACC in 2004, he's the ninth Tech player with multiple 30-point games in a season. The list:
• 2025-26: Neoklis Avdalas (2 times)
• 2023-24: Sean Pedulla (2)
• 2022-23: Grant Basile (3)
• 2015-16: Justin Bibbs (2)
• 2012-13: Erick Green (4)
• 2010-11: Malcolm Delaney (3)
• 2009-10: Malcolm Delaney (5)
• 2008-09: A.D. Vassallo (2)
• 2006-07: Zabian Dowdell (2)
"He had a good feel for it," Tech head coach Mike Young said of Avdalas. "His shot selection was good. Tried to put him in the post a little bit, ran something for him to start the game. He was very, very good on the offensive end tonight. [Amani] Hansberry helps there, but he had some plays that [were] just a big-league player making a good basketball play."
Avdalas was impressive again on Sunday vs. Maryland Eastern Shore, doing a little bit of everything in a 16-point, seven-assist, three-steal, two-rebound effort. He converted four of his nine attempts from the floor and six of his eight foul shots once again.
Through 12 games, he's averaging 14.6 points per game, the second-best mark on the team behind Hansberry's 15.9, and leads the Hokies with five assists per game. He's also averaging 3.5 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.4 percent from the field (60-for-135) and 37.1 percent from behind the arc (23-for-62).
Avdalas is the third Virginia Tech player to be named ACC Rookie of the Week on multiple occasions, joining Jeff Allen (twice in 2007-08) and Landers Nolley (five times in 2019-20). A.D. Vassallo (2005-06) and Kerry Blackshear Jr. (2015-16) are the other two players in program history to earn the distinction.
The Hokies (10-2) are back in action on Saturday vs. Elon at 2 p.m. ET (ACCNX)