Virginia Tech Five-Star Could be 2026 NBA Draft’s Wild Card

The 2026 NBA Draft is already shaping up to be one of the best we’ve seen in some time.

Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer offer three truly top-tier prospects. And it has the usual depth in the lottery and beyond that should infuse the NBA with talent.

Even still, the class is sure to offer surprises. And Virginia Tech wing Neoklis Avdalas could very well end up a big surprise, and the ’26 draft’s biggest wild card.

Ranked the No. 2 international recruit per most experts, Avdalas played his last two seasons in the HEBA A1 league in Greece, spending his most recent season with Peristeri BC. At just 18, the 6-foot-8 guard-slash-wing was able to rack up 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 44% overall and 36% from three.

Avdalas’ numbers were solid, but his true value lies in the eye test. He has premier skill and feel for his size, operating as a scorer and play-maker with the ball in-hand. In watching him navigate the pick-and-roll, or rise for smooth, high-arcing jumpers, it’s easy to envision stardom.

He did plenty of the same across two draft combine scrimmages earlier in the year, adding 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in total.

Watching Neoklis Avdalas operating ball screens for Virginia Tech this season will be a lot of fun. Advanced PNR decision maker and a confident multiple level shotmaker out of it. All-ACC type of player that should provide instant impact pic.twitter.com/yKU0jll0YS
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) July 18, 2025

Now, Avdalas will be making his name for the Hokies. It won’t be easy crossing the pond to join an entire new scheme and system — especially for a player with such a unique skillset — but there’s a chance the 19-year-old could put together a stellar campaign.

College basketball is certain to be different than anything else Avdalas has experienced so far.

But per a Tuesday press conference, it seems he’s adjusting just fine to the new style of play.

"Yeah, I would say [that] it was a great first couple of weeks getting to know everybody,” Avdalas said. “Getting to know the style of play here in the US. It's a little bit different in Europe, for sure. I would say the pace, it's slower in Europe. Here is faster. So, have to get used to that. But other than that, it's been great."

For most draft experts, Avdalas currently has late first-round to early second-round stock. But a solid season with Virginia Tech in which he pours on points and adds to his highlight reel could leave the door open for a lottery appearance. Or even more.