Virginia Tech star Keve Aluma announces major decision on future
Virginia Tech guard Keve Aluma has played a critical role in helping elevate the program into a true ACC contender under Mike Young, but while his contribution will always be remembered in Blacksburg, the first-team All ACC selection is officially headed to the NBA Draft.
On Monday, Aluma took to social media to share a heartfelt post aimed at thanking the fan base, the school and program and head coach Mike Young.
The Virginia Tech star has one season of eligibility remaining due to the “free” year because of COVID-19 and earlier this month shared that he was uncertain about his future.
“I’m still not really sure yet what I’m going to do,” Aluma told Mark Berman of the Roanoke Times in early April.
Clearly the versatile guard already got the feedback he was seeking from the NBA as he’s officially made the choice.
Like many college players who are on the fence, Aluma said he planned on playing in NBA camps over the next two months and has until June 1 to decide to remain in the draft or return to Blacksburg.
A first-team All-ACC performer in 2020-21, Aluma was a second-team All-ACC pick last season. He averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this past season.
With Aluma now gone, Young and the emerging Virginia Tech squad — fresh off an unexpected ACC title and a second-consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament — will have to reload.
While Duke will look completely different next season with so many players headed to the NBA and Coach K officially off the sidelines, North Carolina is set to be the clear front runner in the ACC.
The Tar Heels have managed to keep their key stars intact which led them to the magical national championship game run last season. While Virginia Tech will be a contender and is clearly ascending in one of college basketball’s top conferences, the loss of Aluma can’t be overstated.