Nation's No.1 Center Recruit Names Virginia Basketball Among His Final 12 Schools

Mar 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; VCU Rams head coach Ryan Odom reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The top center prospect in the nation is down to 12 schools and one of them is Virginia. Ryan Odom and UVA made the cut for Arafan Diane, who is the No. 1 ranked center prospect at 247Sports. The 7'1 260 LBS propsect plays at Iowa United Prep and is the No. 15 overall player in the country. The other schools that made the cut included Houston, Kansas, Oregon, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, UConn, Indiana, Purdue, Arkansas, and Washington.

NEWS: 2026 Top-25 overall recruit Arafan Diane is down to 12 schools, he tells @Rivals.

The 7-0 big man is the No. 1 ranked center in the country. https://t.co/faxMrmK9ye pic.twitter.com/sEWPKaYaXm

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 4, 2025

This would be a home run for Odom in his first full recruiting class with the program. The Cavaliers are in the mix for a number of the top prospects in the country, but can they land them? Odom and his staff will have to beat out some of the top programs in the country, but don't count them out. So far, the Cavaliers do not have any prospects committed for the 2026 class.

Last week, Virginia Basketball announced that they are going to be hosting Villanova for an exhibition game on October 24th.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The exhibition matchup features two national powerhouses with championship pedigrees. Virginia captured the NCAA title in 2019, while Villanova earned national championships in 2016 and 2018. Over the past decade, the Wildcats and Cavaliers have consistently ranked among the nation’s best, with Villanova tallying 255 wins (7th-most in Division I) and Virginia recording 243 wins (13th-most).

Tickets for UVA’s first-ever exhibition against a Division I opponent will be free of charge for season ticket members, who may claim up to the number of seats in their season ticket package at no cost, and can purchase additional general admission tickets starting today. Season ticket members will receive specific email communication regarding their exclusive access.

Courtside season ticket members may claim their seats through the same process.

JPJ suite holders will receive separate communication from the Virginia Athletics Foundation regarding suite reservations.

All other seats, except for courtside rows one and two, will be general admission seating for $25.

Free parking is available first come first served in the JPJ garage, JPJ South, East and West lots, Emmett Ivy Garage (EIG) and The Park. Gates open at 6 p.m. Given the anticipated demand for premium seat locations, fans are encouraged to arrive early and park at EIG and The Park. A free fan shuttle will be available pregame and postgame at The Park, starting at 6 p.m.

Mar 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; VCU Rams head coach Ryan Odom reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

UVA holds a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1981. The Cavaliers defeated the Wildcats 70-60 in a Hall of Fame Series event in Baltimore last season. UVA is 2-0 against Villanova in Charlottesville, including an 86-75 win over the Wildcats during their 2015-16 championship season.

Both programs feature new head coaches. UVA Dean and Markel Families Men’s Head Basketball Coach Ryan Odom has posted a 221-127 mark in 11 seasons, including a 52-21 record the past two seasons at VCU. Villanova’s Kevin Willard has a 335-249 mark in 18 seasons, including a 65-39 record the past three seasons at Maryland.

The exhibition provides UVA fans a first look at the 2025-26 Cavaliers, which includes newcomers Dallin Hall (BYU), Malik Thomas (San Francisco), Devin Tillis (UC Irvine), Jacari White (North Dakota State), Ugonna Onyenso (Kansas State), Sam Lewis (Toledo), Martin Carrere (VCU), Silas Barksdale (Woodside High School), Thijs De Ridder (Bilbao Basket), Johann Grünloh (RASTA Vechta) and Chance Mallory (St. Anne’s Belfield). They are joined by redshirt sophomores Elijah Gertrude, Carter Lang and Desmond Roberts, who return from last year’s squad.