Musa Sagnia Commits To Virginia Tech (Story)
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48 Replies
2mo
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
2mo
Every player that leaves a team has their basketball experts letting people know how bad he is and how glad they are he's gone. Happens at most programs.
(In response to this post by Pradapython)
K
KCHokie2
2mo
Maybe I'm quoting the wrong guy. What does the fox say?
** Edited by KCHokie2 at 5/9/2026, 5:51:44 AM
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
2mo
(In response to this post by KCHokie2)
2mo
People are currently happy to see Avdalas leave.
Bigs have a longer learning curve than guards/wings. Doubly so when you dont play organized basketball until late in life. Even moreso when youre the only person from your home country in major college basketball.
VT didn't have the money to go get a big who was already productive. They needed someone with upside whi they think could be ready for a larger role.
He isnt going to be a back to the basket type. Half of his FGA were 3s in Spain where he played 3 years professionally averaging 19 min/game as a teenager
VT will be able to put 5 guys on the floor next season who are a threat from 3. Sagnia's percentages haven't shown the type of shooter he is capable of becoming, and his rhythm is slow so he needs lots of room, but its a repeatable form, even if hard to watch.
Is he going to be on the same level as Keve Aluma or Kerry Blackshear? No, absolutely not. But he brings a dimension back to the 5 spot that MY hasn't had in a couple years.
He could play alongside Atak, Heide or Hansberry, so its not going to pigeonhole VT if he or one of the others dont work out
(In response to this post by Pradapython)
V
vtfin91
2mo
** Edited by vtfin91 at 5/11/2026, 2:50:29 PM
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
J
jrc3rd
2mo
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
J
jrc3rd
2mo
teammates would return the ball. At Miss. he always shared the ball (in the 3 or 4 games I watched).
(In response to this post by YBYSAIAHokie)
2mo
But you’re right. It just seemed like everyone wanted him gone.
(In response to this post by jrc3rd)
E
EDGEMAN
2mo
I've seen a lot of posts saying we overpaid for him last season.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2mo
which could happen as a result of Neo leaving.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2mo
Is this your first time on the boards in 2026?
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2mo
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2mo
downside that Gurdak might have a higher ceiling due to being so young
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
2mo
Spanish league so I would think that put him ahead of Dorn as he was 2nd German.
Based on his numbers in Spain and his competition there did you expect more from him at NCState?
** Edited by HokieBrazil at 5/9/2026, 1:05:35 PM
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2mo
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
2mo
People just dont like him because he didn't meet their expectations.
He averaged 12.1 pts and 4.6 assists...if that is him as a bad fit then he might average 30 and 10 and UNC (he isnt going to do that)
People need a scapegoat for why VT underperforms...in football its the QB and the backup QB is the most popular guy on campus
In basketball its the PG and the backup PG is the most popular guy on campus
People loved Pedulla when Storm Murphy was the PG, hated him when it was his time to start
Id like to think this is the year that changes, but either Ben Hammond or Curry are going to be the goat for slaughter this year.
(In response to this post by Femoyer Hokie)
2mo
no idea about offensive skill/ footwork but a guy that can jump and block without fouling would be helpful at points .
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
2mo
(In response to this post by VermontDDS)
2mo
that won't have to play15-17 minutes a game and Amani can play his natural position, the 4.
Agree, Gurdak probably has more upside.
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
2mo
He had some skills (good hands, good offensive footwork around the hoop, good basketball IQ), but he also had several inherent, but critical, flaws (not a rim protector, no mid-outside shot, slow def footwork inside and out) that would likely only improve modestly with time.
In certain matchups, he can be effective. But the scouting report on him clearly got out as the season wore on and teams exploited his weaknesses big time.
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
2mo
he had very good hands and great footwork around the rim, shot around 70% from the FT line.. for a true freshman big, he played really well and LIGHT years ahead of guys like Dorn from an offensive stand point. 17 pts and 19 rebounds vs UVA was a glimpse into what he brought to the table.
Big loss for VT in my eyes.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2mo
(In response to this post by radford Hokie)
2mo
VT isnt likely to land a big that, as a freshman.. can go for dbl/dbls, while also being an immediate presence on defense and/or rim protector. I for one, would rather have a big that is skilled offensively, and honestly. I don't care that Gurdak had a 14" vertical.. he could use his size around the rim, and had great touch.
If you want to focus on his flaws, so be it. I disagree with that view point - FOR A FRESHMAN.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
H
Hoke
2mo
Not sure he'll be as motivated to do that with the transition to Rutgers. I think his shot will develop (witness his decent foul shot mechanics and percentage). I think he would have developed into a very good college big man had he stayed at Tech. More risk on his development now. He's never going to be an NBA prospect though. Which unfortunately means he's doing the right thing by maximizing his college earnings.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2mo
(In response to this post by Hoke)
E
EDGEMAN
2mo
You don't see many true freshmen 5s play at that level...at least not at VT. Most of the 5s we recruit sit on the bench for 3 years just to get to the point where they can contribute on the court at an "ACC level."
He was most definitely a big loss, but we don't have a massive amount of cash to keep everyone...
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2mo
Just more than VT could afford for a backup center with marginal upside.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2mo
time. Most importantly, the game wasn’t too big for him as a true freshman. Was clutch down the stretch in numerous games.
Had some holes as you mentioned but he’s a big loss for sure.
Having said that, I think our additions likely offset Gurdak and Dorn’s production from last year.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2mo
I think that I'd rather have several good people in frontcourt rather than an amazingly athletic Lawal that has to stay healthy.
(In response to this post by goodbadugly)
2mo
Hope the cash was good!!!
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2mo
Hammond. Arguably only because injuries gave him more PT.
Even Gurdak's best game, by far, was on New Years Eve. Only had 3 double digit scoring games after that - and barely double digits at that. Most of the time he was in the 4-6 pts range and 5-ish rebounds. And his defense regressed - or more accurately, other teams got a scouting report on him and his flaws got exposed.
I like Mike Young and I don't think moving on from him right now would accomplish anything. But I think the ceiling for him at VT is right around the cut line for the NCAA tourney.
** Edited by marcbvtgm at 5/12/2026, 11:26:45 AM
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
2mo
He didn't really jump at all. Heidi can jump and I thought Sangia looked overall good during last year's season at NC State. I think between Hansberry, Heide and Sangia, and a few options for the 3-spot. It is looking like an interesting group, but can they "gel". That's a win-or-lose issue in this NIL Age. Also, Solomon Davis is a big mystery card. We haven't really seen what he can do in the last two years, due to redshirting and HS injury. At 6'11", if he picks up some weight before the year's start and his hands are good, then maybe he could be a good 5-spot.
(In response to this post by ancient alien 2018)
2mo
in the past. Looks like the center position will now be a defensive role, rather than an offensive one.
(In response to this post by David Cunningham)
C
chagerma
2mo
We expected Gurdak to push to start next season but never thought Dorn was that guy. Who are we getting? A real sophomore ready for a breakout or a 23yr old sophomore who will play sparingly because he's already had time to make the big jump from HS ball to pro?
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
2mo
The position will be a defense-oriented role. Offense will need to come from elsewhere next year.
** Edited by VT ChemE 1986 at 5/8/2026, 1:42:35 PM
(In response to this post by chagerma)
V
VT One
2mo
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)