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Men's Basketball

Tech inks highly touted 2022 signing class

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech men's basketball head coach Mike Young announced the signing of three standout recruits during the early signing period Wednesday. The Hokies are set to welcome MJ Collins, Patrick Wessler and Rodney Rice to Blacksburg next summer as part of Tech's 26th-ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports.
 
MJ Collins
6-4 | 180 lbs. | Guard
Rock Hill, S.C.
Westminster Catawba Christian School
Team Curry

High School: A two-year letterwinner at Westminster Catawba … All-state, all-conference and the Male Athlete of the Year after averaging 23 points per game as a junior … Played his sophomore year at Northside Christian Academy where he was all-conference and scored a season-high 30 points vs. Wayne Country Day … Coached by Sim Frazier while playing for Team Curry in the summer of 2021 … Rated the 207th-best prospect in the 2022 class on 247Sports … Tabbed the second-best player in the state of South Carolina and the 32nd-best combo guard nationally, according to 247Sports … Four-star recruit and ranked 20th at his position by ESPN … Chose the Hokies over Clemson, Oklahoma, Providence, South Florida and East Tennessee State.

Personal: Michael Anthony Jerome Collins Jr. … Born in Pineville, North Carolina … Son of Michael and Jimia Collins … Brothers and sisters include Madalyn, McKinlee and Reneazia … His sister, Reneazia, won three state championships in track … Planning on majoring in communication … Career objective is to play in the NBA.

Coach Giltner on Collins: We are so happy to have MJ join the family. He comes from a great family who values what we do at Virginia Tech. After seeing him with Westminster Catawba and Team Curry, it is easy to see he has been coached very well. Adding that with his ability to score, really excites us to have him here. Our fans will love watching MJ compete.
 

 
Patrick Wessler
7-0 | 235 lbs. | Center
Matthews, N.C.
Combine Academy
CC Elite

High School: A four-year letterwinner … Played his final two seasons at Combine Academy where he was named 2020-21 HoopState Network Sixth Man of the Year … Had 23 points and 12 rebounds against Moravian Prep … Played his freshman and sophomore seasons at David W. Butler High School in Matthews, North Carolina … Southwestern 4A Conference Player of the Year … Competed for CC Elite on the AAU circuit … Rated the 195th-best prospect in the 2022 class by 247Sports … Tabbed the fifth-best player in the state of North Carolina and the 30th-best center nationally, according to 247Sports … Chose the Hokies over Providence, Southern Cal, NC State and Ole Miss.

Personal: Patrick Wessler … Born in Charlotte, North Carolina … Son of Kurt and Colleen Wessler … Has one sister: Gianna … Planning on majoring in business.

Coach Giltner on Wessler: We have known the Wessler family for years and every time we see Patrick play, he seems to get better and better. He will add size, skill and a high basketball IQ to our program in a major way. Combine Academy has been great for the growth of his game and body. We look forward to having his low post presence in maroon and orange soon. Hokie Nation will love the energy and passion "Big Pat" plays with. He comes from a basketball family, too, that has really fallen in love with Virginia Tech.
 


Rodney Rice
6-4 | 185 lbs. | Guard
Clinton, Md.
DeMatha Catholic
Team Durant

High School: Two-year letterwinner at DeMatha where he played one season under the direction of current Tech associate head coach Mike Jones … Averaged 16 points per game as a junior at DeMatha … Rated the 51st-best prospect in the 2022 class on 247Sports … Tabbed the third-best player in the state of Maryland and the ninth-best combo guard nationally, according to 247Sports … Four-star recruit ranked 48th overall, second in Maryland and ninth at his position by ESPN … Chose the Hokies over Louisville, Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgetown and Maryland.

Personal: Rodney Rice … Born in Takoma, Maryland … Son of Rodney and Olga Rice … Siblings include Jasmine and Jenai … Dad played at Richmond and led the Spiders to the Sweet 16 of the 1988 NCAA Tournament … Planning on majoring in communication … Career objective is to play in the NBA or become a sports agent.

Coach Jones on Rice: I'm very happy to have Rodney Rice joining our Hokie family. I've known Rodney for a while and have been able to watch him grow as a basketball player and as a young man. He is a very cerebral point guard, but also has the ability to shoot at a very high clip and score at a great pace. He is a play maker who can make plays both for himself and for his teammates. We're thrilled to be able to land a young man of his caliber, and he's going to greatly impact our program.