Virginia Basketball Expands List of Transfer Portal Targets

Nearly a dozen players in the transfer portal have reportedly been in contact with the UVA men's basketball coaching staff

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The manic and mania of the college basketball transfer portal is as wild as ever this year and it seems the Virginia men's basketball program is right in the thick of it. While the Cavaliers have yet to see any of their own players enter the transfer portal to this point, there are rumors swirling suggesting that there might be some movement on that front soon, although there's currently no evidence to corroborate those rumors. 

Update: Virginia redshirt senior center Francisco Caffaro entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer on Thursday. Read more here.

Meanwhile, the UVA coaching staff has reportedly been in contact with nearly a dozen potential targets in the transfer portal. 

The most notable target on UVA's radar is Texas Tech transfer Robert Jennings. A 6'7" forward from Desoto, Texas, Jennings just completed his freshman season at Texas Tech. He played in 30 games with four starts, but averaged less than nine minutes played per contest. Texas Tech is also in the midst of a head coaching change as Mark Adams resigned earlier this month. Virginia recruited Jennings out of high school and the UVA coaching staff was quick to reconnect with Jennings as soon as he entered the transfer portal, making contact with him last week even before Virginia began play at the NCAA Tournament. Robert Jennings and Tony Bennett completed a Zoom call on Wednesday and according to a report from Houston Wilson of Cavs Corner, Jennings felt the call went well and is looking forward to further conversations with the UVA coaching staff. 

READ MORE: Biggest Roster Questions Facing Virginia Basketball This Offseason

Virginia's initial transfer portal activity suggested that the UVA coaching staff was placing a heavy emphasis on adding depth in the front court with the addition of a forward or transfer. Seven of the players the Cavaliers have been in contact with are considered forwards or centers, but as this week has progressed, Virginia has reportedly been in contact with some guards and wings as well. 

Here is the full list of players who have reportedly been in contact with the UVA coaching staff in the transfer portal (updated 3/23):

Robert Jennings: 6'7" freshman forward from Texas Tech
Jonathan Beagle: 6'9" freshman forward from Albany
Jordan Minor: 6'8" senior forward from Merrimack
Elijah Hutchins-Everett: 6'11" sophomore center from Austin Peay
Jackson Paveletzke: 6'3" freshman guard from Wofford
Johnny O'Neil: 6'9" junior forward from American
Jae'Lyn Withers: 6'9" redshirt junior forward from Louisville
Chris Ledlum: 6'6" junior forward from Harvard
Payton Sparks: 6'9" sophomore center from Ball State
John Tonje: 6'5" senior guard from Colorado State
Ta'Lon Cooper: 6'4" senior guard from Minnesota

No official offers have been extended from Virginia to any of these players that have been announced, but CavaliersNow will continue to monitor UVA's activity in the transfer portal and will provide updates on any offers, visits, and commitments as they come. 

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