Who is Neoklis Avdalas? Meet the Hokies' New Greek Phenom

The 6‑foot‑8, 215‑pound swingman has the potential to become one of the most impactful players ever to suit up for the Hokies.

Virginia Tech Athletics

Neoklis Avdalas is a rare talent. At the very least, he ranks among the best prospects ever to commit to Virginia Tech. And at his ceiling, he has the potential to stand alone atop that list.

Avdalas could have gone in the 2025 draft as a projected second-round pick, but instead elected to head to Virginia Tech. Entering Virginia Tech this fall gives him a unique playbook-ready runway to make the kind of jump that NBA teams fancy. Young’s system should let him develop in multiple facets, particularly as a passer and secondary playmaker, positioning him to potentially elevate his draft stock into the lottery conversation by next spring.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Neo to the Virginia Tech family," said the Hokies' head coach, Mike Young, in the team's press release. "Neo is a highly sought-after talent with tremendous upside. His versatility is off the charts; he can impact the game in a variety of ways and is a three-level scorer. Hokie Nation is going to love watching him compete, and I can't wait to have the opportunity to coach him."

At 6-foot-8 with a point-guard-level skill set, Avdalas has proven he can operate in pick-and-roll action, facilitate off the bounce, and shift defenses with his decision-making. His court vision stands out against European competition and international play, where he’s already starred in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket, running Greece’s offense with poise and efficiency. In seven games, Avdalas averaged 14 points, eight assists, and 7.1 assists and sported shooting splits of 40/31/68. The most notable takeaway from Avdalas’ tournament performance was his 3.5 assist‑to‑turnover ratio, showcasing both his vision and poise as a ballhandler.

His positional versatility is a major plus for the professional level — he can slot at point, shooting guard, or small forward — and his feel as a playmaker is uncommon for someone his size. While his stats overseas weren’t flashy, his feel, skill level, and production in limited minutes drew attention from evaluators at the Draft Combine, further boosting his stock.

Playing under Mike Young’s system gives Avdalas the opportunity to be the featured offensive option— something he wasn’t in Greece, aside from this year's FIBA Eurobasket U20 tournament. That could unlock improvements in consistency from deep and an expanded offensive arsenal in transition and half-court sets.

Here's what I said to say on Avdalas in my "Neoklis Avdalas' Signing Marks Pivotal Shift for Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball " article published on June 16:

"Avdalas averaged 8.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 19.2 minutes per game last season with Peristeri, a Greek professional team. He will be one of nine newcomers coming to the Virginia Tech program this year... On the wing, Avdalas likely assumes the starting role at either shooting guard or small forward, which sends either Schutt or Johnson to the bench.

"Either way, Avdalas' lithe physique — the 19-year-old comes in at 6-foot-8, [215] pounds — means that he can fit in effectively at the two or the three. Looking above at his highlights, which show clips from his time with Peristeri and the 2025 NBA combine, he has the speed and footwork to get inside with finesse. While his jumper is spotty from beyond the arc, that's something the team has time to work on. Avdalas still has room to grow as an on-ball defender, but his size and fluidity make him a promising help-side presence. With improved timing and better defensive instincts, he could evolve into a disruptive off-ball asset."

At 6‑foot‑8, he’s tall enough to shoot over smaller defenders, yet agile enough to guard wings or switch onto bigger guards without being exposed. Offensively, his driving ability stands out. He has a knack for getting defenders off balance and can finish with either hand at the rim in a fluid manner. That ability to create from the wing will be especially valuable for a Hokies offense that’s struggled to generate consistently solid looks when the three‑ball isn’t falling. His jumper remains a work in progress, but the mechanics are sound.

On the defensive end, Avdalas’ length already disrupts passing lanes, and with better anticipation, he could become a stalwart player on that side of the ball. Combine that with his experience against professional competition overseas, and it’s easy to see why the Hokies will gladly take the risk of a one-and-done year.

The level of success hinges on how quickly Avdalas adapts to the pace and physicality of college basketball. Still, the upside is clear: rarely does a program like Virginia Tech land a true offensive general projected as a first-rounder before ever stepping foot on campus.

If everything clicks, Avdalas won’t just be Virginia Tech’s top player; he could become the first Hokie since Nickeil Alexander‑Walker in 2019 to hear his name called in the first round. For fans in Blacksburg, the decision to back Avdalas for one year might pay dividends in the form of national relevance, recruiting momentum and the potential to market the program to elite international prospects.

In short, Neoklis Avdalas arrives at Virginia Tech as more than just a highly regarded recruit; his upside and fluid skill set position him to be one of the Hokies’ most impactful players in recent memory, even if his stay in Blacksburg lasts only one season.